30/08/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday AUG 30, 2026

Deputy minister denies gang-related allegations

KUALA LUMPUR: The armed intrusion in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013, which shocked the nation, saw nine security personnel make the ultimate sacrifice. The incident also became a clear example of how the justice system works alongside efforts to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty. In 2024, the Federal Court upheld the death sentences of seven men, including the nephew of Jamalul Kiram, who had claimed to be the Sultan of Sulu, for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following the Lahad Datu intrusion. Sharing his experience of the case, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, who was then a deputy public prosecutor handling the trial, said a sovereign nation must be firm in protecting its security. “This is to ensure that those accused of threatening national security are dealt with through a transparent, fair and impartial legal process. “There are security personnel who are willing to risk their lives to defend the country. After that, investigators, prosecutors, judges and many others each have their own responsibilities to ensure that justice is upheld. “The case was an extremely challenging experience as it involved not only national security but also tested the strength of our justice system. “We were dealing with a complex case involving many accused, a large number of witnesses and evidence that had to be examined very carefully,” he told Bernama. Mohd Dusuki said the Lahad Datu case also reminded him that the outcome of a legal proceeding depended on the sacrifices and commitment of many people – “However, to claim that I was involved in such activities is a false accusation because they merely showed photographs of me with someone, when it was simply a normal social activity. “Police, including the Johor police chief, have held a press conference and announced that 13 suspects had been arrested. I welcome a thorough investigation by police,” she told reporters after the Safe Internet Campaign KULAI: Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching has denied allegations circulating on social media linking her to gang-related activities in Johor and a road crash here that is currently under police investigation. The DAP national vice-chairman said the allegations were false and baseless, stressing that new social media accounts had been created specifically to make accusations against her. “I have been in politics for 18 years and have served as an MP for 13 years. There may have been occasions when I met someone once or twice, or perhaps had photographs taken with someone in an ordinary social setting.

PETALING JAYA: Post-mortem examinations have confirmed that the two children found dead alongside their mother at a Desa ParkCity home died from stab wounds to the neck, said KL police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus. Their mother, he added, died from sharp-force injuries to the neck and chest. The results has given the clearest picture as how the three family members died, as investigators continue to probe possible links between the killings, a suspected love scam and debts reportedly amounting to RM260,000. Speaking to a Malay daily, Fadil said the daughter’s post-mortem was conducted at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital from 9am to noon on Friday. The mother’s post-mortem was carried out from 2pm to 7.30pm. The son’s post-mortem was done on the same day between 2pm and 5pm. The post-mortem on the children’s father, believed to be the suspect, took place yesterday after scene examinations were completed. Fadil said the four bodies would not be released to family members until the father’s post-mortem was complete. Forensic teams from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and police remained at the property to carry out additional examinations, he added. Fadil said the family was reportedly aware of a love-scam issue, and the wife is believed to be involved in an illegal investment scheme. died from stab wounds to neck’ Facebook account owner also claimed that certain parties had compromised police and media to ensure the incident was reported simply as a road crash. Earlier, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said police had arrested 13 people, including a 15-year-old girl, to assist investigations into the death of the teenager in the crash. “We initially classified the case as a road accident before reclassifying it as murder following the arrests. “We do not rule out the possibility that the road tragedy was connected to a membership dispute between two secret societies in Johor Bahru, although the motive remains under probe,” he said. ‘Children in Desa ParkCity tragedy

a gang. He said a Facebook post alleged that Teo had links to a gang involved in the death of a 17-year-old girl in a road crash at Lingkaran Bulatan Persiaran Indahpura 4 on Tuesday. “The post was uploaded by a social media user who manipulated facts and published false information. “The loss of a teenager’s life is a tragedy and it must not be exploited to spread slander and create false narratives. “I lodged a police report yesterday together with her special officer to allow police and the relevant authorities to investigate and take appropriate action,” he said. In the social media post, the

‘False and baseless accusation shows anyone could become victim of fake news in digital era’

Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as well as a police report. “However, the main challenge is that the decision to shut down the account or delete the post rests with Meta, and not all fake news can be removed immediately,” she said. On Thursday, Senai assemblyman Wong Bor Yang lodged a police report at the Kulai district police headquarters over defamatory posts and false allegations linking Teo and DAP to

Community Carnival at Hutan Bandar Putra on Friday night. Teo, who is also Johor DAP chairman, said the defamatory claims demonstrated that anyone could become a victim of the spread of fake news in the digital era, Bernama reported. She advised the public not to readily believe information received through social media without verifying it first. “We need to think rationally and investigate first. I have lodged a complaint with the Malaysian

Lahad Datu case tested strength of justice system: AG

Mohd Dusuki expressed hope that a tragedy like Lahad Datu would never happen again. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/ THESUN

that one side won and the other lost, but about ensuring that the legal process was carried out properly. He said the Lahad Datu case attracted attention both domestically and internationally, making it important for the prosecution team to uphold the principle that every accused person is entitled to a fair trial. More than a decade after the incident, Mohd Dusuki expressed hope that a tragedy like Lahad Datu would never happen again and that the sacrifices of those who defended the country would serve as a lesson for all Malaysians. “May future generations inherit a peaceful and sovereign Malaysia that continues to stand firm as a nation that upholds the rule of law. “On this National Day, let us appreciate the peace we enjoy, remember the sacrifices of those who came before us and play our part in ensuring that Malaysia remains a peaceful, united and sovereign nation.”

about what had happened on the ground, particularly accounts of the courage and sacrifices of security personnel who had faced extremely dangerous circumstances. “At that point, we realised that what we were examining in court was not merely documents or witness testimony, but involved human lives and the security of the country. “Nevertheless, as prosecutors, we must learn to separate personal feelings from our professional responsibilities. Even when certain evidence is deeply moving, our duty is to assess the facts and evidence objectively and ensure that the case is presented in accordance with the law. “I also have not forgotten that behind every charge are affected families and lives that may be changed forever.” Mohd Dusuki said prosecutors must exercise greater care in carrying out their responsibilities, as justice was not about ensuring

from security personnel on the ground to investigators, prosecutors, judges and judicial officers who worked to ensure that evidence could be properly presented in court. He said a case with major implications for national security had to be handled with great care, firmness and integrity. At the same time, the case reinforced his understanding, as a Malaysian, of what it means to defend the country’s sovereignty. “Behind the files, evidence and court proceedings was a story involving national security and sovereignty. Knowing that our security personnel were facing a real threat on the ground naturally affected me as a citizen,” he said. Mohd Dusuki acknowledged that a major trial such as the Lahad Datu case had moments that tested not only his resilience as a legal officer but also affected him personally as a Malaysian. He said one of the most difficult aspects was hearing evidence