31/08/2025

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday AUG 31, 2025 Johor quakes spur call for readiness

JOHOR BAHRU: A series of minor earthquakes that have struck Johor since last Sunday has highlighted an urgent need to intensify remapping and monitoring of active and ancient fault lines in Peninsular Malaysia, said Elmu University Disaster Management Programme coordinator and senior lecturer Dr Rabieahtul Abu Bakar. She said particular attention should be given to the Mersing Fault, as well as ancient fault lines such as those in Bukit Tinggi, Bentong-Raub and Kenyir. Rabieahtul emphasised that a Fault line data must be updated, warning systems installed and public advised on safety measures: Expert

RM13 million contraband seized, 195 detained KUALA LUMPUR: Police have seized various items believed to be smuggled goods, including cigarettes and alcohol, with a total value of over RM13 million in a two-day “Op Kontraban Mega” operation in 11 states. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director (Operations/Movement) Datuk Fisol Salleh said out of 272 premises inspected during the operation conducted last Tuesday and Wednesday, 174 premises were found to have committed various offences. He said during the operation, police seized more than 4.1 million sticks of cigarettes of various brands with an estimated value of RM7.7 million, 103,407 litres of alcohol worth RM4.5 million, as well as other goods including cooking oil, vehicles, fireworks and phones valued at RM841,329. “During the operation, 195 individuals, including caretakers of premises, aged between 18 and 72, were detained for further investigations. “Of that number, 127 are local citizens, while the rest are foreigners from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines,” he said during a press conference at Bukit Aman on Friday. Fisol said 140 individuals would be remanded for seven days, 38 remanded for immigration offences and 17 others were released on police bail. He said 13 offences were identified, including those under the Customs Act 1967, Immigration Act 1959/63, Open Gambling House Act 1953, Minor Offences Act 2007, Local Government Act 1976, Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, Explosives Act 1957 and the Local Government Ordinance 1961. “Some of these are repeat offenders, and we will continue the operation in collaboration with various agencies, including the Customs Department, so that smuggling activities can be addressed.” Fisol said from Jan 1 until Friday, more than 86.7 million sticks of cigarettes and 973,558 liters of various brands of alcohol estimated to be worth more than RM232.5 million were seized, and 648 individuals arrested. – Bernama “Teachers and schools are encouraged to provide disaster preparedness education and conduct effective evacuation drills, while children should be taught not to wait for their parents during a tremor but to move immediately to open areas for safety. “Most importantly, the public must understand the ‘Drop, Cover, Hold On’ safety procedure, which means drop down, take cover under a sturdy table, hold on until the shaking stops, exit calmly after the tremor, avoid using lifts and stay clear of cracked walls or ceilings.” reactive, by ensuring preparedness begins now, before disaster strikes, Bernama reported. She advised parents to identify evacuation sites and guide their children on safety measures, such as covering their heads with a helmet or a hard book, avoiding the use of lifts, and carrying a prepared emergency kit in case of evacuation from home.

be carried out, particularly on schools, hospitals, mosques and bridges. Where necessary, strengthening or retrofitting works must be undertaken. Effective implementation requires close coordination between the Minerals and Geoscience Department, Meteorological Department, Public Works Department and local authorities.” She added that a free-broadcast early warning system should be developed, including the installation of sirens at potential quake-risk sites identified through geospatial mapping, as well as a rapid notification system capable of providing timely alerts to the public. Citing data from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Rabieahtul said funds invested in disaster risk reduction and preparedness could result in post-disaster recovery costs. She also urged Malaysia to move towards becoming a nation that is proactively prepared rather than

comprehensive these faults must incorporate advanced technologies, including 3D mapping and micro-seismic zonation, to determine risk levels. “A high-density seismometer network, along with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), should be deployed to detect micro-deformation in the earth’s crust, particularly for urban microzonation, as recommended by seismic experts. “In addition, the national seismic hazard map and building design parameters must be updated. For instance, the peak ground acceleration values should be revised based on the 2025 Segamat incident,” she said. Rabieahtul further stressed that building structures must comply with the Malaysian adaptation of Eurocode 8, which has been widely adopted since the 2015 Ranau earthquake. “Critical structural audits should also study of

LETHAL WEAPON ... Bukit Aman Criminal

Investigation Department director Datuk

M. Kumar showing a

firearm and other items, seized from suspects in a clinic robbery case during a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Mastermind of paedophile syndicate arrested JOHOR BAHRU: Police have announced the arrest of a man suspected to be the mastermind of a paedophile ring specialising in sexually abusing babies and young children, creating videos and selling them through the Telegram app and on the dark web. supply of babies (via Facebook posts) offering babies for adoption. “The suspect would deal with the birth mothers by providing RM1,500 to RM3,500 in cash, including settling the maternity bill at the hospital,” he told a media conference at the Johor contingent police headquarters, which was also attended by Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad.

“So far, we have identified and discovered three victims (from his neighbourhood), girls aged five to seven.” A total of 10 individuals – two local women, two Indonesian men and four Indonesian women, a Myanmar man and a Suluk woman, aged 25 to 60, have been arrested to facilitate investigations. Items seized at the suspect’s house include birth certificates, maternity record books, identification cards, unfilled National Registration Department forms, laptops and mobile phones. Kumar also said the three children and two babies rescued have been placed under the care of the Social Welfare Department, adding that the suspect is being investigated under Section 5, Section 14(a) and Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Five investigation papers have been opened and have been referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Aug 21.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said the man, 29, was arrested on July 19 here under Ops Pedo, a month-long operation between the Sexual, Women and Children Criminal Investigation Department, Malaysia Internet Crime Against Children and international agencies that was conducted between July 19 and Aug 19. The suspect allegedly recorded himself sexually abusing babies and young children, including two baby boys and three girls, aged two months to five years, and sold the videos to selected local and foreign buyers. “The modus operandi was to obtain a

Kumar said a seized birth certificate listed the suspect as the baby’s father, adding that the birth mothers were cared for until official birth certificates were obtained from the National Registration Department. He said the suspect also secured legal custody of his victims as his adopted children, Bernama reported. The suspect is believed to have also looked for other victims randomly by targeting children unsupervised by their parents or guardians at his neighbourhood.