27/04/2026

MONDAY | APR 27, 2026

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Trafficking attempt involving Indonesian nationals foiled KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has foiled a migrant smuggling attempt involving Indonesian nationals who used layered travel routes and falsified entry stamps to evade detection. express bus. At TBG, officers detained two men, two women and a male transporter believed to be managing logistics in Kuala Lumpur. At TBS, three men and three women were arrested for suspected links to the same syndicate. A car used by the transporter was also seized. The KL International Airport was also used as a transit hub before onward travel to Hat Yai. Upon arrival, migrants were housed in safe locations before being smuggled into Kelantan through illegal crossings along the Thailand Bukit Bunga border in Tanah Merah. They were then transported to Kuala Lumpur using different bus services on the same night.

Cops tracking woman over child abuse KUALA LUMPUR: Police are tracking down a woman suspected of abusing her three-year-old son in an incident in Batu Caves recently. Gombak police chief ACP Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir said a report was lodged on Saturday by the child’s grandmother, who lives in the same house. Preliminary investigations found the incident occurred in March at about 8pm, when the complainant heard the child crying and suspected he was being abused by his mother. “The suspect is a local woman and the child’s biological mother. She is not married, and the motive is still under investigation.” The child has been taken for medical examination, which is ongoing. Police are actively tracing the suspect to assist in investigations, with the case being probed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001. Those with information are urged to contact investigating officer Insp Amirul Ashyraf Abu Hassan at 019-3491233. – Bernama Zakaria emphasised the department’s commitment to combating smuggling and urged the public not to harbour or assist offenders. Information can be reported to the ATIPSOM & AMLA Division at 03 8880 1471 or via email at urusetia_p@imi.gov.my. – Bernama DUNGUN: Police are searching for a man suspected of committing an extreme act of lewdness near a public university recently. Acting Dungun police chief DSP Jumaidy Bah Chong Weh said his department received a report regarding the incident on Saturday. He said initial investigations found that the man riding a motorcycle had committed an indecent act by exposing his genitals to an 18-year-old woman who is also a student at the university, before fleeing. He said police had also detected a video believed to be related to the same incident and efforts to trace witnesses and individuals involved were being actively carried out to assist in the investigation. “The police view the incident seriously and will take strict action against any immoral behaviour that disrupts public safety.“ – Bernama MACC to extend remand of preacher SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Negeri Sembilan has received approval to extend the remand of an independent preacher on suspicion of embezzling funds from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) totalling approximately RM12.3 million. The five-day remand order until May 1 against the suspect, who is in his 30s, was issued by Magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli at the Seremban Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The application to extend the remand was made after the original remand period for the suspect expired yesterday. Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan MACC director Awgkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awg Ismail confirmed the matter and that the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009. – Bernama The department suspects local involvement in arranging bus tickets and logistics, with investigations ongoing. All detainees are being held at an Immigration Depot under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 and the Immigration Act 1959/63. Police looking for alleged flasher

Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said 11 individuals, including a suspected transporter, were detained in a special operation on Saturday. The operation was conducted at the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal (TBG) and the Southern Integrated Transport Terminal (TBS) after intelligence revealed the arrival of Indonesian migrants in the Klang Valley from Kelantan via

Investigations revealed the syndicate had shifted from sea routes in Selangor waters to complex air and land routes. Migrants avoided direct flights to Malaysia due to blacklisting concerns, instead travelling from Indonesia to Singapore, then flying to Hat Yai, Thailand.

Zakaria said the syndicate, led by a mastermind in Indonesia, operates through agents in Hat Yai who manage arrivals, accommodation and falsify passport stamps. Migrants aged between 27 and 60 reportedly paid RM3,500 to RM4,000 each.

Immigration officer detained over migrant smuggling

“The syndicate charged RM1,000 for each person, with RM400 paid by the agent to the officer for every passport endorsed. The syndicate is believed to have been operating since early this year and caused estimated revenue leakage of RM4.1 million.” The operation team seized five Indian passports, one Pakistani passport, Malaysian and Thai border passes, an Immigration security stamp, 12 mobile phones and 30,000 Indian rupees (RM1,261) in cash. Also confiscated were three cars and two motorcycles believed to have been used in the activity. The two local men and the Thai suspect were detained under Section 26A of the Anti Trafficking in Persons and Anti Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, while another local man was held under Section 26J of the same Act. The five Indian nationals were detained under Section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while the Pakistani national was held under Section 56(1)(l) of the same Act. All suspects were taken to the Kedah Immigration office for further action.

Division at Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya, with support from Kedah Immigration and the Bukit Kayu Hitam Border Control and Protection Agency. Those detained comprised two local men, a Thai man, five Indian nationals, a Pakistani national and a senior Immigration officer serving at the checkpoint. The arrests followed public tip offs and one month of intelligence gathering. “Initial checks found that one Indian national detained was a blacklisted immigrant, while the Pakistani national had allegedly used a fake e-visa. The other foreign nationals were prohibited immigrants.” Investigations revealed that the syndicate allegedly smuggled foreigners, mainly Indian nationals, into Malaysia through the land entry point in a coordinated manner. Agents arranged timing and entry logistics, while a transporter posed as a taxi driver to bring them across the border from Thailand. At the checkpoint, the Immigration officer allegedly endorsed passports despite the individuals failing to meet entry requirements.

o Syndicate allegedly caused RM4.1 million in revenue leakage

Ű FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: An Immigration officer stationed at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint was among 10 individuals detained in connection with a migrant smuggling syndicate that allegedly caused RM4.1 million in revenue leakage. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the special operation, codenamed Ops Toyu, was carried out at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam at 12.50pm on Saturday. The operation was mounted by officers from the Intelligence and Special Operations

Terengganu citizens cautioned against open burning

KUALA The Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department has reminded the public to refrain from open burning to prevent fires that could harm the environment and cause property damage. Its director Nor Mahathir Muhamad said a total of 1,420 open burning cases were recorded statewide from Jan 1 until April 25. Kuala Nerus recorded the highest number of cases at 252, followed by Kemaman (236), Dungun (205), Marang (204), Besut (179), Kuala Terengganu (168), Setiu (144) and Hulu Terengganu (32). Of the total, 1,121 cases involved bush and grass fires, followed by forest fires (139), plantations (16) and other open burning incidents (144). “Statistics show an increasing trend, reflecting a high fire risk and the urgent need for preventive action to avoid more serious and uncontrolled incidents.” Nor Mahathir said the department has stepped up awareness efforts, including public announcements at mosques and surau across the state. He added that open burning is an offence under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years or both. – Bernama TERENGGANU:

Nor Mahathir said the department has stepped up awareness efforts, including public announcements at mosques and surau across the state. – MASRY CHE ANI/THE SUN