08/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 8, 2026 5 ‘Businessman paid RM10m compound’ KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Nicky Liow Soon Hee paid a RM10 million compound in 2023 before the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) withdrew 26 money laundering charges against him. In a statement yesterday, the AGC said the decision was made after carefully considering representations submitted by Liow’s lawyers, Messrs Rajpal, Firah & Vishnu. The representations, dated Dec 15, 2022, and April 6, 2023, sought to compound the 26 charges under Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla) pursuant to Section 92 of the same Act. “After reviewing the representations and the available evidence, the AGC agreed to offer a RM10 million compound, which Liow agreed and paid on May 29, 2023. “Apart from the RM10 million compound, settlement also included the forfeiture of a RM647,366 bond and seized assets. “Following payment of the compound, the prosecution withdrew all 26 charges against Liow in accordance with Section 92,” it added. The AGC also said the Shah Alam Sessions Court subsequently ordered Liow to be discharged and acquitted of all charges on June 15, 2023. Responding to criticism over the decision to discontinue the prosecution, the AGC maintained that Liow was not released without due legal process. It said the charges, which were filed on April 12, 2022, had already been fixed for trial between July and September 2023 before the representations were considered. “The decision was made in accordance with the AG’s constitutional powers and prosecutorial discretion, based on the overall evidence gathered during the investigation and without being influenced by external pressure or public sentiment.” On Wednesday, a group of civil society organisations called on the AGC to publicly disclose the basis, considerations and timeline behind the decision to discontinue the prosecution against Liow. The groups said the AGC had, for more than three years, failed to explain why the representations were accepted, what factors informed the decision or whether the charges would ever be reinstated. “The public is entitled to know why a RM36 million money laundering prosecution was discontinued, rather than to learn of it, years later, only through a defence press conference,” the groups said. Student charged with killing newborn KLUANG: A college student was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with killing her newborn at a house here last week. Nurshazwen Mohd Idris, 19, nodded after the charge was read before Magistrate Nurasidah A. Rahman yesterday. No plea was recorded as the murder case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Nurshazwen is charged with killing the baby girl she gave birth to at a house in Jalan Setia Mutiara 2/6, Taman Setia Mutiara at about 10am on July 29. She is charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, and whipping. The court did not grant bail and set Oct 8 for case mention pending chemical, psychological and post-mortem reports. The prosecution was conducted by DPP Nik Noratini Abd Rahman, while the accused was not represented. – Bernama Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Mandatory drug screening for Malaysia Airlines pilots

o Move reflects zero tolerance for any form of misconduct in wake of Jakarta incident, says aviation group

and crew fitness for duty were non-negotiable at MAG. “We take any breach of our safety standards seriously and have acted swiftly to enhance mandatory drug screening across our active pilots. “While this isolated incident does not reflect the professionalism of the overwhelming majority of our employees, we will continue strengthening our safeguards to maintain the confidence of our passengers and stakeholders,” he told Bernama. According to MAG, the set of operating pilots completes the IMSAFER assessment before every flight to evaluate each other’s physical and mental readiness for duty, which is complemented by Threat and Error Management principles to identify and manage operational risks. IMSAFER is a pilot self-assessment checklist used before flight to evaluate fitness for duty. It stands for “illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, emotion and recency”. It added that MAG would continue working closely with aviation, enforcement and regulatory authorities to implement recommendations, strengthen preventive measures and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements across its operations and the wider aviation ecosystem.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has commenced mandatory drug screening for all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots and will implement stricter screening for all active pilots, going beyond current industry practice. The parent company of Malaysia Airlines Bhd has begun screening pilots across its airlines, with the exercise expected to be completed by Aug 15. “Pilots who do not complete the screening by the stipulated date will not operate flights until they have been cleared in accordance with MAG’s procedures and regulatory requirements,” the group said in a statement yesterday. MAG said the group will also implement mandatory drug screening for all active pilots, complementing its existing random testing programme and will subsequently be expanded to active cabin crew. “This swift response reflects the high level of concern with which MAG views the recent incident involving the detention of its pilot, as

the group maintains zero tolerance for any form of misconduct,” it said. On July 29, a Malaysian pilot was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into Indonesia, including over 70,000 ecstasy pills weighing 25kg. The 39-year-old man had flown Malaysian Airlines Flight MH727 from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta and was arrested at Terminal 3 of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport. MAG confirmed that the individual concerned was a second officer travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not the pilot flying the aircraft. “The individual had also been off duty for two days preceding the incident. The aircraft was operated safely at all times by two qualified operating pilots,” it said. The group viewed the individual’s actions as completely unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of its personnel. MAG president and group CEO Kapt Nasaruddin A. Bakar said operational safety

BIG HAUL ... Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi (centre) and his officers with smuggled cigarettes and liquor worth RM700,000 seized in four raids in Batu Pahat and Bahau in Negeri Sembilan. – BERNAMAPIC

Probe into death of cops in electrocution incident KOTA KINABALU: A comprehensive and transparent investigation has been ordered immediately to determine the actual cause of the electrocution tragedy that claimed the lives of three police personnel in Beaufort on Thursday. Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the officers involved were stationed at the Weston police station in Beaufort. the authorities and appropriate action based on the findings of the probe.

In a statement, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre said it received a distress call at 5.56pm on Thursday. Subsequently, the Beaufort Fire and Rescue station deployed a Fire Rescue Tender with a team of seven to the location, about 28km from the station. “The initial report stated that three victims had been electrocuted along Jalan Weston in Kampung Weston, before the fire brigade was deployed to carry out rescue operations,” the statement read. Operations Commander PBK I Irwan Abdul, led the team, assisted by police and Sabah Electricity personnel. According to initial investigations, witnesses told authorities that the victims had been trying to knock down coconuts using a metal pole when it accidentally struck an overhead power cable. – Bernama

“Police have opened an investigation paper to determine the exact cause of the incident. Autopsies will be conducted before the remains are released to the next of kin,” he said when contacted on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd said in a statement that a detailed investigation into the fatal incident is being conducted. The utility company confirmed that its technical team was deployed to the scene upon receiving information, to ensure the area was safe. “Sabah Electricity extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire police force, and shares in their grief over this loss,” it said. Sabah Electricity urged the public not to speculate, and pledged full cooperation with

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said any weaknesses identified must be addressed immediately, while improvements must also be implemented to ensure that a similar incident does not recur. He also expessed condolences to the families of Cpl Mohamad Nur Hafiz Ibrahim, 29, Const Muhammad Raimi Ismarubee, 26 and Cpl Chiu Teck Siong, 40. Saifuddin Nasution said the three personnel had devoted their lives to serving the people and country, and described their passing as a great loss. Several videos of the incident, widely shared on social media, show three men lying on a road as onlookers gathered nearby.