03/06/2026

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 3, 2026 5 Mentally-disabled person reported missing IPOH: A man with a mental disability has been reported missing after leaving his home in Simpang 4, Anak Kurau, near Batu Kurau. Selama police chief ACP Sarudin Samah said Zakaria Shamsuddin, 42, was last seen at about 4pm on Saturday when he left through the back door of his house and headed towards a bushy area located about 300m from the residence. He said the man was initially followed by his stepson, but disappeared from sight when the latter stopped to tie his shoelaces. “While his stepson lowered his head to tie his shoelaces, the victim was still in front of him. However, when he looked up again, the victim had disappeared and could not be located. “The victim is a person with a mental disability and is believed not to have taken his prescribed medication for the past two or three days.” He urged members of the public with any information on the whereabouts of the individual to come forward by contacting Sgt Major Razak Abdul Ghani at 010-2096227, the Selama Police Headquarters at 05-8394222 or the nearest police station. Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said the victim has yet to be found although the search and rescue operation entered its second day. “The second day of the search operation was carried out by dividing personnel into nine teams comprising members of the fire department, police, Civil Defence Force, fire department K9 Unit and members of the public. “The search focused on Sectors A, B, C and D, covering an area of approximately nine square kilometres around the location where the victim was reported missing. The operation applied the LAST concept and fan-searching techniques to locate the victim.” However, the victim had still not been found when the operation ended at 5pm. “The operation commander reported via the Government Integrated Radio Network that the search operation had been temporarily suspended on the instruction of the district police chief after obtaining approval from the Perak police chief. “Search efforts will resume once new leads are found.” – Bernama Man nabbed over eye-spraying incident SEREMBAN: A man was arrested after he allegedly sprayed an eye irritant at a married couple in front of a restaurant. Seremban police chief ACP Mohd Yatim Osman said the 50-year-old man was arrested in front of his house at 11.45pm on Monday. He added that the incident occurred when a 49-year-old woman, who is also a trader, and her husband were driving and realised they were being followed by another vehicle at about 6pm. “The car driven by the man then overtook and abruptly blocked the victims’ vehicle before he got out and attempted to provoke the couple, and took something from the rear of his car. “The man then sprayed an eye irritant at the victims, causing irritation and itchiness to their eyes. They claimed they did not know the man and were unaware of his motive.” Mohd Yatim said both victims sought outpatient treatment at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital and were reported to be in stable condition. He said police seized a black eye irritant spray bearing the word “police”, believed to have been used in the incident. He also said an initial urine screening found the suspect negative for drugs, while checks showed the man had three previous drug related records. – Bernama

Teen remanded for two days over deadly crash

BATU PAHAT: A 19-year-old male teenager has been remanded for two days starting yesterday to assist in investigations into a fatal crash that claimed five lives, including four members of a family at Jalan Renggam in Simpang Renggam on Monday. The remand order was issued by Magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno at the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court to enable further investigations to be carried out under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Bernama reported. On Monday, police confirmed the arrest of the local teenager, a student at a university in Singapore, following the crash. Kluang police chief ACP Bahrin Mohd Noh was reported to have said initial investigations found that the suspect allegedly drove his vehicle recklessly along with another vehicle o Suspect being probed for reckless driving, say police

the crash. Sidek Abd Hamid, 42, a grieving relative of the family involved, expressed his profound shock and anger upon learning that the crash was allegedly caused by street racing. “Losing family members, especially my own child, is heartbreaking,” he reportedly said, urging authorities to ensure strict legal action is taken to prevent similar tragedies. He emphasised his confidence that his family members, who were in a separate vehicle, were driving safely and were not at fault for the collision. All four victims were laid to rest yesterday morning at the Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Muslim Cemetery in Kemaman, Terengganu. Earlier, the bodies arrived at the Sultan Mahmud Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque at 8.35am for funeral prayers after being brought from the Enche’ Besar Hajah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang, Johor, where post-mortem procedures were conducted. More than 200 relatives and friends attended the funeral.

driven by his 22-year-old brother. He said the crash at 1.15pm occurred when the vehicle driven by the suspect’s brother lost control at the scene before entering the opposite lane and hitting four other cars. He added that as a result of the collision, a family of four, Mohd Aiman Mohd Rashid, 36; his wife, Nor Azlina Abd Latif, 33; her mother, Semek Mat Soh, 73; and their 10-year-old niece, Nur Airish Syifa Sideki were confirmed dead at the scene due to severe head and body injuries. Meanwhile, the suspect’s brother was reported to have died on the way to hospital due to the severe injuries he sustained. Bahrin said police also seized the suspect’s vehicle and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. The incident has caused immense public distress, exacerbated by circulating dashboard camera footage that appeared to have captured the moments leading up to

Civil Defence Force and fire department personnel work to secure the site of the crash. – PIC COURTESY OF CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE

Penang to review fire safety measures for old, heritage buildings GEORGE TOWN: Penang will review possible improvement measures, including

among building owners, the Penang Island City Council has previously taken the initiative to facilitate the application process for existing shophouses and heritage buildings within the Unesco World Heritage Site of George Town through the implementation of more efficient procedures. “The initiative allows building owners to submit building plan applications for related works without having to undergo the planning permission process, subject to the stipulated conditions and criteria.” Following the Odeon fire, H’ng said the Penang Island City Council would review investigation findings and consider measures to strengthen existing procedures, guidelines and safety requirements. “In addition, it will hold further discussions with members of the SPEAD (Surveyors, Planners, Engineers, Architects and Developers) Committee as well as relevant technical agencies to review suitable improvement proposals, particularly those related to the safety of old and heritage buildings.” – Bernama

and existing legal requirements.” He said Penang’s two local authorities – the Seberang Perai City Council and the Penang Island City Council – have consistently prioritised the safety of old and heritage buildings through close cooperation with the Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies. He also said existing measures include monitoring building usage, regulating renovation works, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and coordinating with technical agencies to strengthen fire safety standards. H’ng said building owners and premises operators are also encouraged to maintain fire safety systems, including emergency exits, fire extinguishers, alarm systems and electrical wiring. He added that both city councils conduct regular inspections and monitoring of buildings, renovation projects and heritage properties to ensure compliance with relevant laws and safety requirements, while also keeping track of dilapidated buildings. “To ensure a higher level of compliance

strengthening compliance with fire safety requirements for old and heritage buildings, following the fire at the Odeon building, formerly a theatre, on Jalan Penang, which claimed the life of a Myanmar construction worker last Saturday. State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the matter would be examined based on the findings of investigations by the relevant authorities, as well as feedback from technical agencies. “The state government views the fire incident seriously, and among the areas that could be given attention are strengthening compliance with fire safety requirements, monitoring high-risk buildings, regulating renovation works and increasing awareness among building owners and premises operators. “Any proposed improvements will be studied comprehensively, taking into account safety considerations, heritage preservation