04/07/2026

SATURDAY | JULY 4, 2026

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Five Taiping prison officers charged with inmate assault o All accused plead not guilty of voluntary causing hurt to three prisoners, face imprisonment, fine, whipping if convicted In a statement, the Prisons Department said the charges mark the latest development in ongoing legal proceedings, following the earlier prosecution of another officer under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code over the same case. statements that could prejudice court proceedings, and stressed that all individuals charged are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Ministry concern over growing threat of synthetic drugs KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has expressed serious concern over the growing threat posed by the trafficking and abuse of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, psychoactive pills known as “piu-piu” and fentanyl. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said these emerging drugs have become a major concern due to their high risk of addiction, fatal overdoses and their link to rising crime and social problems. He revealed that between 2023 and June 2026, police recorded 238,704 arrests nationwide for various synthetic drug-related offences. “To address this issue, police has intensified operations, including Op Tapis and Op Tapis Khas, across urban, rural and remote areas in collaboration with agencies such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. Modern technologies, including drones and surveillance cameras, are also being fully utilised to detect and curb drug trafficking activities,” he said in a written parliamentary reply posted on the Dewan Rakyat website on Thursday. He was responding to a question from Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS–Batang Lupar), who wanted to know the ministry’s measures to combat the distribution and abuse of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl and piu-piu. He added that the government is also considering amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to include newly emerging synthetic drugs, or New Psychoactive Substances, under the Act’s schedules. “Besides enforcement, preventive measures through a community policing approach are also being strengthened. Between 2023 and June 2026, a total of 1,144 drug prevention programmes were carried out nationwide to raise public awareness,” he said. – Bernama of the bankruptcy proceedings. The stay is sought pending the resolution of their appeals before the Special Commissioners of Income Tax, which challenge the additional tax assessments issued by the IRB. The bankruptcy proceedings arise from separate High Court decisions granting the IRB’s applications for summary judgment against the father and son in respect of unpaid tax arrears for the assessment years 2011 to 2017. The IRB is seeking to recover RM1.69 billion from Najib and RM37.6 million from Nazifuddin in respect of the outstanding tax arrears. Both Najib and Nazifuddin had previously challenged the summary judgments entered against them, but their appeals to the Court of Appeal and subsequently to the Federal Court were dismissed. – Bernama

On Jan 17, a large group of inmates who had been transferred to Taiping Prison were allegedly assaulted by prison officers while being escorted from a temporary hall to prison blocks that were reportedly in extremely poor condition. On May 25 this year, the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) released its final findings on the Jan 17 Taiping Prison incident, which involved a riot that led to the death of an elderly inmate. Suhakam called for immediate disciplinary action against prison officers involved in the Taiping Prison incident.

“We fully respect the ongoing legal process and will continue to cooperate with police, the Attorney General’s Chambers and the judiciary to ensure the case is handled in a transparent and fair manner,” it said. The department reiterated its commitment to integrity, professionalism and accountability, adding that it will not tolerate any misconduct that violates the law or undermines public confidence in the institution. It also reminded the public to refrain from speculation or

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaiily.com

location between 3pm and 4.15pm on the same day. He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction. He was granted bail of RM3,000 with two sureties, and the court also set Sept 7 for document submission. The accused were represented by lawyer Aqmarul Aqil Ismail, while deputy public prosecutor Farihah Adilah Fazial appeared for the prosecution.

PETALING JAYA: Five prison officers were charged at the Taiping Magistrate’s Court yesterday with injuring three inmates that occurred at Taiping Prison during separate occasions on Jan 17, 2025. All five accused – Mohd Hairie Jumri, 40; Saiful Azman Mohamad Ibrahim, 44; Ahmad Rizal Razali, 37; Muhamad Mustakhim Abdul Rahim, 40; and Nor Hafiz Izwan Muhammad Jajam, 31 – pleaded not guilty to the charges. Before Magistrate R. Prabakaran, Mohd Hairie and Saiful Azman were jointly charged with intentionally causing hurt to P. Jason Immanuel, 25, using a baton at Hall B, Taiping Prison, Jalan Taming Sari, between 3pm and 4pm on Jan 17, 2025. They were charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine, whipping, or any two of the punishments upon conviction. Both, an inspector and a sergeant respectively, were allowed bail of RM4,000 each with two sureties and ordered to report to nearby police station on the first day of every month pending disposal of the case. The court fixed Sept 7 for mention and submission of documents. In a separate charge, Ahmad Rizal, also a prison inspector, was accused of voluntarily causing hurt to V. Naveen Kumar, 32, at the same KUALA LUMPUR: Police are tracking the whereabouts of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin’s widow, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid and her children, who are believed to be in Europe, to assist in an ongoing police investigation. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said intelligence and preliminary checks by the authorities indicated that they are currently overseas. “Based on intelligence and preliminary checks by the authorities, the individuals in question are believed to be overseas, specifically in Europe,” he said in a written parliamentary reply posted on the Dewan Rakyat website on Thursday. He was responding to a question from Lim Lip Eng (PH–Kepong), who wanted to know whether members

The five prison wardens being led into court to face charges. – BERNAMAPIC

Cops seeking late Daim’s widow, children, believed to be in Europe: Minister

Sept 4 verdict for Najib, son in bankruptcy stay appeal

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has fixed Sept 4 to deliver its decision on the appeals brought by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his son Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin, who are seeking to stay bankruptcy proceedings against them. A three-member bench comprising Datuk Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab, Datuk Dr Shahnaz Sulaiman and Datuk Ong Chee Kwan heard submissions yesterday from counsel for the appellants, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and Senior Revenue Counsel Norhisham Ahmad, who appeared for the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). Following the hearing, the bench reserved its judgment. Najib and Nazifuddin are appealing against the High Court’s decision on Nov 17, 2025, which dismissed their application for a stay

without prejudice or selective agendas, and are carried out to safeguard national security and uphold the integrity of the legal system,” he said. On May 26, Bernama reported that Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar confirmed that Na’imah and her two sons, Muhammed Amir Zainuddin and Muhammed Amin Zainuddin, had been abroad since investigations into an alleged plot to topple the government began earlier this year. He said police had recorded statements from 17 individuals to assist investigations under Section 124B of the Penal Code, and that the investigation paper had since been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further action.

of the late Tun Daim’s family were being sought by police due to their presence abroad, and what measures the government was taking to bring them back to Malaysia. Saifuddin said police had opened an investigation paper following Sentul Police Report No. 4034/26, with the case being investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code, which relates to activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy. He said police, through its International Relations Division and the Interpol Kuala Lumpur National Central Bureau, is working closely with their counterparts to determine the family’s exact whereabouts. “The government wishes to emphasise that all actions taken by police are based on the rule of law,