30/04/2026

THURSDAY | APR 30, 2026

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Security guards group irked by alleged wage dispute

Man jailed over death of adopted son KUALA TERENGGANU: A lorry attendant was sentenced to 18 years’ jail and two strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court yesterday after pleading guilty to charges linked to the injury and death of his adopted son. Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli sentenced Muhammad Firdaus Zamri, 31, to 18 years’ jail for causing the death of four-year-old Muhammad Adamdanial Abdul Khafidh at an unnumbered house in Kampung Banggol Katong, Terengganu at about 6pm on April 11. The charge was framed under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 30 years. He was also sentenced to four years’ jail and two strokes of the cane for causing injury to the child with a cane at the same time, date and location. The offence, under Section 324 of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine, whipping, or any two of the punishments. Both jail terms were ordered to run concurrently from the date of arrest on April 13. In delivering the sentence, Mohd Zul Zakiqudin said public interest must take priority. He said the victim, who had been entrusted to the care of the accused, was “gradually abused until death”, describing the offence as a serious breach of trust against a helpless child. – Bernama Businessman loses RM610,000 in scam MUAR: A businessman lost RM610,000 after falling victim to a non-existent investment scheme that promised unusually high returns. Muar police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the 49-year-old was drawn to an investment advertisement on Facebook before contacting an individual via WhatsApp. Lured by promised returns of up to 750%, the victim made multiple payments into different bank accounts from April 1, he said in a statement yesterday. He added that the victim was told all investment matters would be handled by a broker. “The victim only realised he had been scammed when he was asked to make an additional payment to withdraw profits purportedly earned from the investment. “He then lodged a police report on Tuesday for insurance claims over the losses suffered.” The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. Raiz Mukhliz advised the public to be cautious of online investment offers promising extraordinarily high returns. – Bernama Bid by Namewee to review drug charges rejected KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers has rejected a representation submitted by rapper and filmmaker Namewee seeking a review of two charges related to the possession of drugs and sildenafil. DPP Nurainizatul Farhana Zainal informed the court of the decision during proceedings before Magistrate Nurul Izzah Hasan Basri yesterday. The court then fixed May 29 for mention. Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, had filed the representation in an attempt to have the charges withdrawn or reduced to lower offences. Under the first charge, the 43-year-old is accused of possessing 1.57g of methamphetamine in a hotel room on Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur, at about 4.30pm on Oct 22 last year. He also faces a second charge of possessing 0.78g of sildenafil at the same location, date and time. On Dec 22 last year, Namewee was acquitted of a separate charge of self-administering a dangerous drug after the prosecution withdrew the case following negative pathology test results. – Bernama

o Memorandum submitted to national association calling for resolution of work-related issues

relevant authority. Do not make deductions without reason. We have submitted (a memo) before. This time, we are showing our dissatisfaction.” He added that the next step would be to push for a formal engagement involving regulators, industry bodies and relevant stakeholders. “We want a serious meeting. Call everyone, the authorities, the association, whoever is involved. We must sit down and resolve this.” He said if no progress was made, the group would escalate the matter further. “If nothing happens, we will take the next step. The guards have reached a critical point.” Mohd Ali also said active intervention from the authorities was needed to ensure all parties came to the table. “If we call them, they may not come. But if the authorities call, they will come. So, we need that support.” He stressed that the grievances were not new issues and had persisted for years. An Industrial Relations Department officer who observed the submission said the memorandum would be documented and escalated internally. “The report will be forwarded to the head of the office for further review,” the officer said, adding that the process was carried out in an orderly manner. “We appreciate that everything was conducted properly without disruption to the public.”

The memorandum was directed at the association, which Kespa allege had failed to take decisive action against member companies accused of malpractice, particularly involving wage compliance and working conditions. Mohd Ali said the body held significant influence over its members, especially in certification and licence renewals. “They hold an important responsibility, but they are not actually using it. If members are not following the law, action must be taken,” he said. Among the key issues raised were wage compliance, improper deductions and disputes over rest hours. He said inconsistent interpretations of rest periods had led to recurring disputes across companies. “Some companies say there are two hours of rest, but guards are still at the post and cannot leave. That becomes an issue.” The group is also calling for clearer, standardised contract terms, particularly in government-linked security work, to prevent ambiguity over overtime, public holidays and rest days. “We need a standard understanding. Overtime, public holidays and rest days must be clearly agreed,” he said. The memorandum also urged stricter enforcement of existing labour requirements, including timely salary payments and statutory contributions. “Pay salary according to the law. If there is a deduction, it must be paid to the

Ű BY AMEEN HAZIZI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of security guards have submitted a memorandum to the Malaysian Security Industry Association, saying that industrial action may be taken if long-standing issues over wages and working conditions remain unresolved. The move follows allegations of wage discrepancies, including unpaid overtime, issues previously highlighted by theSun in a report published on March 31. The memorandum was submitted peacefully by about 15 union members yesterday after advice from the Labour Department to avoid a larger public demonstration. National Association of Security Guards in Peninsular Malaysia (Kespa) president Mohd Ali Ibrahim said the decision to scale down the gathering was decided in good faith. “This is a peaceful submission of a memorandum. We just want to show our dissatisfaction,” he said.

MACC freezes US$1.7 million linked to 1MDB KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian The group is also calling for clearer, standardised contract terms, particularly in government-linked security work, to prevent ambiguity over overtime, public holidays and rest days. – AMEEN HAZIZI/THESUN

the action reflected the commission’s continued commitment to ensuring all misappropriated funds were traced and returned to the country. He said amid challenging global economic conditions, including uncertainties arising from conflicts in the Middle East, asset recovery efforts were not merely enforcement measures but also a responsibility to safeguard the nation’s financial interests. “Every ringgit successfully recovered belongs to Malaysians and will continue to be pursued. MACC will continue to strengthen international cooperation and utilise all available legal avenues to ensure assets hidden abroad can be traced, frozen and forfeited.” – Bernama

linked to money laundering activities based on investigations by the MACC Special Operations Division. Investigations found that between 2014 and 2019, several individuals who were account holders and directors of offshore companies were suspected of receiving, concealing, transferring and converting proceeds of unlawful activities through the companies’ bank accounts in Barbados. Following this, the High Court allowed a prohibitory order on financial transactions involving US$56,285.88 in an account owned by Lambasa Global Opportunity Fund BV and US$1,649,118.40 in an account owned by Universal Ventures Fund SCC. Chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said

Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has obtained a prohibitory order on transactions involving funds amounting to US$1.7 million (RM6.7 million) held in Barbados, believed to be linked to money misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). In a statement, the commission said the funds were held in two bank accounts at Amicorp Bank and Trust Limited in Barbados. It said the order was issued by Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid after he was satisfied with the prosecution application under Section 53 of the Anti Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. The application showed the funds were