05/06/2026

FRIDAY | JUNE 5, 2026

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Home caretaker jailed 36 years for abusing five boys

Ten men held over hacking murder case JOHOR BAHRU: Police have arrested 10 local men in a series of raids to assist in investigations into the case of a man who was hacked to death in front of a restaurant in Pekan Nanas, Pontian on May 21. Johor acting police chief DCP Hoo Chuan Huat said acting on information, a police team from the Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division and the Special Investigation Division, Johor police contingent headquarters, together with the Criminal Investigation Division of Pontian district police headquarters, arrested all the men, aged 18 to 28, around Pontian and Batu Pahat between May 21 and Tuesday. “We also seized vehicles, clothes, face masks and weapons used in the incident,” he said in a statement. Hoo added that checks found that six suspects had criminal records and two others had criminal and narcotics records. Initial urine screening test found that one suspect tested positive for benzo-type drugs. He said six suspects were remanded for 15 days starting May 21, one was remanded for seven days starting May 29, two were remanded for seven days starting June 1, while another was remanded for seven days starting June 3 under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The investigation papers were then referred to the state Public Prosecutor’s Office yesterday and the charges against the seven suspects along with five others, who are still at large, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, were read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code for murder. Hoo said three suspects were released and made prosecution witnesses on bond under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code. “Based on the investigations, we believe the motive of the incident is related to elements of a secret society, including recruiting new members,” he said, He advised the public, especially young people, not to get caught up in secret societies and to channel any criminal information to the nearest police station as well as the Johor police hotline at 019-279 2095 or the Johor headquarters operations room line at 07-2212 999. Earlier, the media reported that a 22-year-old local man was found dead in a pool of blood in front of a restaurant in Pekan Nanas, Pontian. The victim, who suffered serious injuries to his hands and feet, was later confirmed dead at the scene. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. – Bernama Businessman charged over gang connection PETALING JAYA: A 46-year-old businessman stood before the Kuala Selangor Sessions Court yesterday, accused of belonging to an organised criminal outfit known as “Geng TR” for close to five years. R. Ravindran is alleged to have carried out his involvement at a seafood restaurant in Jeram between November 2019 and May 3, 2024. The charge, framed under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, carries a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment and a maximum of 20 years. Ravindran appeared before Judge Nurul Mardhiah Mohammed Redza, although no plea was recorded given that the offence falls within the jurisdiction of the High Court. DPP Lina Hanini Ismail declined to propose bail, in line with provisions under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma). Ravindran, who was represented by lawyer Sean Dudley, remains in remand custody. The case has been transferred to the Klang High Court, where a mention date will be fixed. His case is set to be heard together with 54 others allegedly associated with the same gang.

o Accused pleads guilty to nine charges involving sexual assaults on victims aged between eight and 13

involving two boys. With both sets of sentences running concurrently, his total effective jail term amounts to 36 years. The abuse was uncovered after the Pertubuhan Kebangkitan Tiga Tangan Selangor president spoke with children at the home. The boys were rescued and taken to the Selayang Hospital on March 30, where doctors confirmed injuries consistent with sexual abuse. Retna admitted to the offences while in police custody. The case also revealed serious regulatory failures. The home was unregistered with the Social Welfare Department and operated under a private company. Of roughly 36 residents, at least 12 were reported to have suffered abuse. Four suspects were arrested, including the home’s 31-year-old owner and three workers aged between 17 and 25.

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outfit, Retna appealed for leniency. DPP Muhammad Hairuliqram Hairuddin opposed, stressing the accused had violated the children’s dignity and that his actions would leave a lasting impact on them for the rest of their lives. The offences took place between November last year and March this year at the home in Taman Permata Biru, Batu Caves, mostly in the early hours of the morning. Retna had allegedly instructed at least one victim to keep the abuse secret. This was Retna’s second sentencing in the same case. On May 21, he had been sentenced to 11 years and five strokes of the cane for six separate sexual offences

PETALING JAYA: A caretaker at an unlicensed children’s welfare home has been sentenced to 36 years in prison and six strokes of the cane for sexually abusing five boys aged between eight and 13. Ampang Sessions Court Judge Ho Kwong Chin handed down the sentence on Retna Velu, 25, who pleaded guilty to nine charges – eight involving physical sexual assault and one involving non-physical sexual assault. The individual sentences ranged from five to 12 years, to be served consecutively from the date of arrest on April 3. Unrepresented and dressed in a prison

Use ‘STOP’ formula when lost, hikers advised KUALA LUMPUR: Hikers who realise they have veered off the original trail are advised not to panic or walk aimlessly, but instead to practise the “STOP” procedure to increase their chances of being rescued. explained it involves reviewing the route taken, including the last known trail markers, direction of travel and terrain before realising one is lost. SPOILT FOR CHOICE ... A wide selection of books and reading materials are available at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026 being held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. The fair is open daily from 10am to 10pm until Sunday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

He stressed that discipline within the group is vital, including obeying instructions from the expedition leader, the guide and the last hiker, who acts as a sweeper to prevent participants from being left behind. To facilitate search-and-rescue operations, Hairulnizam advised lost hikers to remain in a safe, open location so they can be spotted from the air. “They can signal by spreading out a brightly coloured tent canvas or clothing, forming SOS symbols using stones or wood, as well as using smoke and light reflection. “For ground searches, hikers can leave clues such as arrow markers, snapped twigs or markings on trees, ” he said. Before a hike, Hairulnizam said every hiker must carry basic equipment, including an emergency whistle, a pocketknife, a first-aid kit, a lighter and emergency food and water. “The jungle is never cruel to those who are prepared, but it can punish those who are complacent and take safety aspects lightly,” he said. – Bernama

He said the next step is to observe the surroundings to ensure the area is safe and identify available resources such as food, water, medicine and emergency equipment. “When we know what resources we still have, we can make better and more realistic plans based on the situation,” he said. Hairulnizam, a Royal Malay Regiment veteran, advised hikers against continuing their journey in the dark to avoid the risk of injury and more severe disorientation. Commenting on the factors that frequently cause hikers to get lost, he said sudden weather changes, such as heavy rain and thick fog, as well as communication breakdowns within the group, are among the primary causes. Factors such as fatigue, muscle cramps, injuries and panic could also cause a person to lose focus and stray off the designated trail.

Sime Darby Property Berhad head of Property Security Management, Mejar (Rtd) Hairulnizam Samuri said the abbreviation stands for “Sit, Think, Observe and Plan”, which serves as a basic survival procedure in the jungle. “When you realise you have gone astray, stop walking and sit down immediately. If you continue walking, the probability of wandering deeper into the jungle increases significantly. “By sitting down and calming ourselves, we can prevent our adrenaline from spiking, which subsequently helps us think rationally,” he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio’s Jendela Fikir programme on Wednesday titled “Safe Hiking, Meaningful Experience”. Regarding the“Think”element, Hairulnizam