KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry views seriously the alleged rape of an Indonesian woman by three policemen in Prai, Penang last Friday, says its minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
In a statement issued yesterday, he noted that the three policemen were now under remand over the rape incident alleged to have occurred at 7am on Nov 9.
“The ministry has contacted the Penang Criminal Investigation Department head, SAC Mazlan Kesah on the day of the alleged incident to obtain more details.
“We were informed that the three policemen involved were being remanded and investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code,” he said in the statement.
Anifah said the ministry was also informed that the completed investigation report would be forwarded to the deputy public prosecutor for further action, while a special team had already been formed by Penang police to investigate the case thoroughly.
“The ministry will follow closely the development and will give its full cooperation to the Indonesian government over this case,” he said. - Bernama
What doesn't kill me makes me stronger Selena Gomez is not letting her break up with Justin Bieber get in the way of her work schedules.
Selena showed up at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan to receive the Glamour Woman Of The Year award. And she looked smashing in a white peplum dress with plunging neckline.
Selena cried when she went on stage to receive her award and in her speech, the actress told young women to be "true to themselves".
She said: "“I am so honoured to be in a room full of women that I can only aspire to be as good as they are one day…I just want to share to all the girls out there that you have a voice, you have a chance to do what you love, whether that is acting or singing. And just being true to who you are.”
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate comprising African students has been buying credit card numbers of Malaysians to purchase luxury items and electronic devices online.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Syed Ismail Azizan said the police got wind of the syndicate following complaints from several banks.
“Our investigations found that the group had been purchasing credit card numbers along with their card verification codes for about US$20 (RM60) each through an online chatroom,” he said.
“They would then make online purchases of luxury items such as handbags and electronic devices which they would later sell.”
Comm Syed Ismail said the banks would only find out about the unauthorised transactions when the card owners lodged a complaint.
Police raided two premises in Subang Jaya two weeks ago and arrested eight Africans, including two women.
All the suspects, who are students at a private college here, have been remanded until next Tuesday to facilitate investigations.
Comm Syed Ismail said police were now focusing their attention on the group that sold them the credit card details.
PETALING JAYA: The National University of Singapore has terminated sex blogger Alvin Tan’s scholarship over his Internet sexploits.
The prestigious university, however, stopped short of expelling the 24-year-old from law school but he will have to pay full non-subsidised fees as a foreign student should he resume studies, reported Singapore Straits Times, quoting unnamed sources.
Tan was an Asean scholar and had been on “leave of absence” from his classes for almost a year when he started uploading pornographic pictures and videos of himself and his girlfriend Vivian Lee on a blog titled “Sumptuous Erotica”.
Tan has refused to comment on the university’s decision.
“I’m sorry but I can’t comment. I’m bound by a confidentiality agreement,” he said.
The university has also kept mum, with the spokesman stating that the school’s disciplinary proceedings were confidential.
An estimate shows that it may have cost the Singapore government the benefactor of the Asean scholarship programme at least RM275,000 to fund all of Tan’s seven years of study in the city state.
The highly prestigious scholarship is awarded to only 170 undergraduates from nine Asean countries annually. It covers tuition fees, accommodation and also provides an allowance for the recipients.
Last week, after deciding on the punishment, the university said Tan’s actions were “inappropriate and was detrimental to the reputation and dignity of the university”.
Singapore Education Minister Heng Swee Keat also told Parliament on Monday that Tan’s behaviour was “reprehensible and unbecoming of a scholar”.
Tan said he apologised to the university during the disciplinary hearing on Oct 31. Meanwhile, both he and Lee have deleted all of their Facebook posts referring to the blog.
KUALA LUMPUR: Deepavali was celebrated nationwide in a joyful mood yesterday as Malaysians of the Hindu faith offered prayers at temples and opened their doors to friends and family.
Celebrations as the Batu Caves temple complex here were among the highlights of the day as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined more than 10,000 people of various races and backgrounds at the Deepavali open house hosted by Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
The crowd, who began to gather in the vicinity of the complex at 8am, were treated to a sumptuous spread of vegetarian Indian dishes. The open house was from 9am to 1pm.
To the sounds of beating drums and Indian flutes as well as clement morning weather, Najib, who is Umno president and Barisan nasional chairman, was greeted upon arrival at 10.30am by MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam and other party officials.
Present were Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Malaysia’s special ambassador to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.
Other guests included Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar as well as several deputy ministers, political leaders and foreign diplomats.
Clad in a beige kurta with matching pants and a red shawl, Najib later cut a Deepavali cake, accompanied by Palanivel, Samy Vellu, Rais and other dignitaries.
They found themselves at the center of controversy after sending Karlie Kloss out on the 2012 Fashion Show runway in a Native American getup, and now the folks at Victoria’s Secret has issued an apology.
The lingerie retailer posted a message via Twitter- "We are sorry that the Native American headdress in our fashion show has upset individuals. The outfit will be removed from the broadcast."
Furthermore, Karlie herself tweeted, "I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS’s decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast."
Kloss’ getup was comprised of a feather headdress, suede bra, fringe and leopard print panties, and turquoise jewelry.
Enjoy the pictures of Karlie Kloss on the runway of the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
The suspect being led to the police lockup yesterday
MIRI: A Primary 6 pupil here shocked her teacher on Wednesday when she revealed that she was raped by her 34-year-old stepfather in their house in Lutong.
Miri police chief ACP Mun Kock Keong, when contacted yesterday, confirmed to have received a report on the matter.
The police report was lodged by the teacher at Lutong Police station at about 8pm on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested at their house in Lutong on Thursday.
The case is being classified as rape, an offence under Section 376 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment and whipping if convicted.
According to sources, the suspect had started raping the victim since she was nine years old. The victim, the eldest in the family, has three step siblings. Her mother married the suspect in 2008.
The 12-year-old victim has been sent to Miri Hospital for a medical check-up.
ALOR SETAR: A Thai woman was detained for smuggling in drugs, believed to be Syabu, worth RM399,000 at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration Complex Express Bus Station, Tuesday.
Kedah Customs director Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Latif said the woman, 41, was detained at noon after two packages, wrapped in opaque plastic and containing white crystals, was found in her bag.
“We took the woman here (Customs office in Alor Star) and found two packages in her bag weighing 2.1kg and covered in blue carbon with the word ‘pelican’ on them containing drugs, believed to be Syabu,” he told reporters, here,yesterday.
He said the woman, who worked as a masseuse in Kuala Lumpur, was remanded seven days for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence if convicted.
Abdul Aziz said, based on her passport, the woman had entered Malaysia four times before but was detained for the first time.
“She used a new modus operandi by boarding a bus at Hatyai to Danok before hiring a car to enter the country in the hope that the Malaysian authorities would not conduct inspections at passenger routes,” he said. - Bernama
YOGYAKARTA: The Malaysian student arrested by the Indonesian police for possession of cannabis here last Friday said he was not a smoker and had never used drugs in his life.
Instead, the 22-year-old medical student said he had fallen victim to an offer made through a chat site on the Internet.
On the day of the incident, he said he had just held the package containing the cannabis for a mere five minutes and had yet to open the package when he was arrested by the police.
“I just want to know what cannabis is. I am not a smoker and I have never used drugs in my life,” the student told a media conference at the Sleman district police headquarters here on Wednesday.
Several police officers, who were with the student during the media conference, also believed that the student was a good person and was not involved in any drug problems.
However, the Indonesian police had to continue investigating the case as the student was arrested with 68.93gm of cannabis, which were considered enough to make 50 sticks of cigarettes.
The student said he was curious about the drug and was tempted by the offer to purchase the cannabis through the popular MIRC chat room without thinking of the consequences.
He also said that he did not know the dealer because after making payment through an automated teller machine, he received an SMS telling him to collect the package at a specific location in Jalan Kaliurang.
The student said he rode his motorcycle to the location and found the package, but was arrested almost immediately after he picked it up.
According to the Indonesian law, the student can be detained up to four months pending investigation or prosecution. – Bernama
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua on Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but there was no immediate tsunami alert issued, Jakarta Globe reported.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 9:31 am (0131 GMT), was 247 kilometers southwest of Nabire in Papua and 108 kilometers north of Dobo in the Aru Islands, USGS said. It hit at a depth of 24 kilometers.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center website said there was no current warning or advisory in effect.
“There is no tsunami potential. The quake was felt in towns of Nabire, Wamena in Papua and the city of Ambon in Maluku islands,” Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency duty officer, Fauzi, told AFP.
“We haven’t received any reports of damage so far,” he said, adding the agency measured the quake at 7.0 magnitude.
LAHAD DATU: Police have arrested a 35-year-old Filipino who was allegedly involved in the murder of a Pakistani trader at Kampung Ubi, Jalan Segama here recently.
District police chief Superintendent Shamsudin Mat yesterday said the victim often came to the house of the suspect to sell clothes and collect debts from his family.
“The suspect then became suspicious and suspected that the victim had an affair with his wife.
“As the suspect was too angry, he planned to kill the victim. Anger and jealousy are believed to be the main motive for the murder,” Shamsudin said at a press conference yesterday.
He added on Sept 28, the police received information there was a body of a man in the bush in the yard of an unnumbered house at Batu 4, Kampung Ubi.
Initial investigation revealed that the man was stabbed and hacked to death. Shamsudin said the police also found the victim’s shirt and a machete, believed to be the murder weapon, at the scene.
He said the body was then sent to the district hospital for a post-mortem before being brought to his country of origin.
On Wednesday, a police team from the Crime Investigation Department raided an unnumbered house at Permodalan 2 Plantation, Jalan Jeroco, at 9pm and arrested the Filipino.
The police also detained the suspect’s wife and son to assist in their investigation.
Shamsudin added the suspect was now in the police custody and remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for further investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Also present at the press conference was Assistant Superintendent Ang Seow Aun who is the case’s investigation officer.
Firemen check the identity of the victim near the wrecked vehicle
Houstan Jukat, 25
KUCHING: A man on his way to work died instantly in a road accident about 9am yesterday.Houstan Jukat, 25, from Kampung Git at Jalan Puncak Borneo, was driving a Proton Wira car to his workplace in the city when the accident occurred.
It is said that he was descending the Mile 3 flyover to Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce when a van coming from the roundabout suddenly crossed his path causing him (Houstan) to lose control of the car in a bid to avoid hitting the van.
As a result, the car jumped to the opposite lane and hit a lorry. Houstan leaves behind a wife and a child.
The driver of the lorry and his attendant, the van driver and a motorcyclist who were also involved in the accident received outpatient treatment at Sarawak General Hospital.
The case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
BEIJING: Chinese police arrested a man in the restive northwestern region of Xinjiang for allegedly making a hoax threat that forced a plane into an emergency landing, state media said.
The man, whose name was only given as Wang, confessed to making a “fake terrorist threat” that led to the plane landing on Monday at an airport in Lanzhou, capital of northwest Gansu province, official news agency Xinhua said, citing security officials.
Resource-rich Xinjiang is home to roughly nine million people from the mostly Muslim Uighur ethnic minority who have long been angered by what many see as government oppression.
The China Southern Airlines flight CZ680 had originally taken off from Istanbul in Turkey and landed in Xinjiang’s provincial capital, Urumqi. It was en route for Beijing when the alert happened around 5.30pm (0930 GMT).
A search of the Boeing 757, which was carrying 186 passengers and 10 crew, turned up no explosives or other suspicious items and it took off again at 10.45pm, Xinhua said.
Such incidents on Chinese planes are rare, although a year ago a plane bound for Urumqi was forced into an emergency landing after a passenger claimed there was a bomb on board,
Police detained the 27-year-old woman passenger after she threatened to detonate explosives during the China United Airlines flight from Beijing to Urumqi.
She told police she had a problem with her boyfriend and was flying to Xinjiang to talk to him, state media said.
Two years ago, bloody ethnic riots in Urumqi killed 197 people and injured around 1,700. — AFP
LONDON (AFP) - Prince William's wife Catherine was saddened by the death of a teenage cancer patient she met during their tour of Malaysia last month, St. James's Palace said on Monday.
Zakwan Anuar, 15, who had leukaemia, postponed a badly-needed blood transfusion for 24 hours and put himself through extra pain so he would not miss the royal visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on September 13.
Catherine, known officially as the Duchess of Cambridge, chatted to him for 15 minutes and signed his birthday card. The visit brought a rare smile to the boy's face.
Kate specifically asked to visit the institution during the tour and chose to make her first official speech abroad at the hospice.
HONG KONG (AFP) - A pleasure boat collided with a passenger ferry and sank off Hong Kong, leaving 36 people dead and sparking a frantic overnight search and rescue effort, officials said on Tuesday.
More than 120 passengers and crew were on the Hong Kong Electric company’s vessel to watch a national day fireworks display in Victoria harbour on Monday evening when the collision occurred near Lamma island.
Scores of people were thrown into the choppy water and the company vessel sank within minutes, leaving only its bow protruding from the waves.
“Twenty eight were certified dead at the scene while eight others were certified dead upon arrival (at) hospitals,” the government said in a statement, raising an earlier death toll by 11.
“Over 100 people were sent to five hospitals during the incident, nine of them have sustained serious injuries or are in critical condition.
“Rescue action will continue as Fire Service Department (FSD) cannot rule out that there are still people inside the vessel or missing.”
All of the dead and most of the injured are believed to have been passengers or crew of the Hong Kong Electric vessel.
Rescue teams in boats and helicopters spent the night scouring the sea around the site of the accident for signs of survivors, while dive teams entered the sunken boat.
“The low visibility and many obstacles on board... made it difficult for rescue,” the FSD said.
Survivors were taken by boat to Hong Kong island, some 3km to the east, where a fleet of ambulances whisked them to hospital.
Local television station RTHK reported on its website that children were among the dead.
“After 10 minutes out a boat crashed into ours from the side at very high speed. The rear... started to sink,” a survivor was quoted as telling the South China Morning Post after he was brought to shore.
“I suddenly found myself deep under the sea. I swam hard and tried to grab a life buoy. I don’t know where my two kids are.”
Another survivor, a woman, said: “I swam for a long time to reach the surface and swallowed a lot of water. Then I found a rescue boat.”
Hong Kong chief Leung Chun-ying said the government had mobilised all its resources to respond to the accident.
“All our emergency rescue teams are concentrated there... We can see that bit by bit, the people in the water are being rescued,” he told reporters at a pier as the injured were being put into ambulances.
Later, after visiting a hospital where a number of those hurt had been taken, he said: “Government divers have entered the submerged portion of the boat to rescue survivors, passengers or crew members.
“We will investigate this incident, we must understand the reason for this incident.”
Survivors told how the water level inside the boat being used by HK Electric rose quickly before the vessel sank, RTHK news website reported.
Hong Kong Electric’s Director of Operations S.S. Yuen confirmed the passengers were on their way to the fireworks display.
“This is a very happy holiday and it turned out to be such a tragic incident,” he said.
The FSD said 28 boats, two helicopters and 20 ambulances were involved in the rescue operation.
Lamma island is the third largest island in Hong Kong, with a population of around 5,000 people. It is popular with expats, who enjoy its car-less narrow streets and laid-back lifestyle.
Police said the cause of the accident was not yet known.
Firemen assisting fellow rescuers and civilian volunteers out of the tunnel due to the imminent collapse
BAU : The tunnel inside Mount Tabai in Taiton here is the final resting place of gold prospector Lee Sze Chun after a series of rock collapses yesterday made it impossible for the rescue operation t o continue.
The operation was officially called off at 4pm when the threat of a total collapse of the tunnel walls and ceiling forced rescuers comprising firemen and local volunteers to abandon plans to recover Lee’s remains for fear of being buried alive inside the 10 metre-deep shaft.
District police chief DSP Mohd Sabri Zainol, who apologised to the victim’s family on behalf of the rescuers for being unable to retrieve the body, said the high probability of a total collapse meant it was impossible for rescuers to proceed as it would endanger their own lives.
“The rescuers gave it their all to the point where a number of equipment belonging to the Fire and Rescue Department were lost inside the tunnel when part of the roof caved in.
“Let this tragic incident be a lesson to everyone to stay away from this area and not to risk their lives in the pursuit of easy money. We hope this is the last death to occur in this mountain,” he said.
Mohd Sabri explains to Lee’s family and relatives why the operation had to be called off
Body cannot be recovered despite two-day operation the victim’s family, including his wife, have accepted the fact that Lee’s body could not be recovered despite the two-day-long operation involving nearly 100 police personnel, firemen and local villagers.
Lee’s wife, who was present throughout the operation, initially remained hopeful that her husband’s body could be retrieved but broke down upon learning the operation had been halted, and had to be consoled by family members and relatives.
A local volunteer, Tapa Monya, 60, said rescuers were able to walk into the tunnel to where Lee’s body was located during the first day of the operation.
He said that a series of rock collapses from Wednesday night to early yesterday morning resulted in them being barely able to crawl in or out. Each attempt to chisel, break or shift the boulder atop Lee’s remains caused further cracks in the tunnel walls resulting in the ceiling to collapse.
By 3pm, Lee’s family were informed that it was impossible to remove his body in its entirety, leading them to give their consent to the rescuers to use rope to pull whatever they could
from underneath the large boulder.
However, when attempts to pull out Lee’s torso and leg triggered another round of rock collapse which landed directly on top of his body, the family was left with no other option but to make the tunnel his final resting place.
The incident happened around 2.30am on Wednesday when the 33-year-old Lee and several men were mining for gold inside a tunnel at Mount Tabai.
A large boulder the size of a Perodua Kancil car fell on top of him and killed him on the spot, prompting the others inside the tunnel to lodge a report of the incident.
On a related matter yesterday, police personnel patrolling a jungle footpath leading to the top of the mountain stumbled upon roughly 30 sacks of gold-rich earth, which had been mined by unknown individuals.
The sacks, each weighing about 8kg, were found stashed in a bush and were subsequently seized and sent to district police headquarters for further investigation.
Police personnel collect evidence at the scene of the murder
BINTULU: A man who was out looking for his son around midnight yesterday was killed in an attack by a group of five to 10 men near the night market here.
The victim was identified as 38-year-old Nual Mata, a tractor driver for an oil palm plantation in Sebauh. Nual originally came from Suai.
Bintulu police chief Supt Madang Usat confirmed the case and that the victim was looking for his son when he was attacked.
“During the search he was suddenly attacked by a group of men and sustained severe cuts on his face, believed to be caused by a blunt object,” he told reporters yesterday.
Madang said a 25-year-old man was arrested in a village nearby around 2.30am, while another five suspects were caught around 2pm.
The motive behind the attack has yet to be established. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code. - BORNEO POST
Two children were fast asleep in one of the bedrooms
KUALA BELAIT: Two young children home alone and who were sleeping inside a bedroom were saved in the nick of time thanks to fire fighters from the Belait Fire and Rescue Department when the bedroom adjacent to theirs caught fire, Borneo Bulletin reported.
The department received a distress call at 2.30pm yesterday regarding the fire at No 227 Barrack ‘A’, Jln Puteri Brunei in Kuala Belait. Ten fire fighters and three fire engines were rushed to the scene led by Operation Officer DSO Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Mohd Yusuf
The Fire and Rescue personnel reached the scene at 2.34pm and the fire was brought under control in five minutes and it took 20 minutes to completely douse the flames.
The house was occupied by a family of 10 comprising eight children. At the time of the incident, only two of the youngest children were inside the house while the parents were at work and the older siblings were at school. Both parents are government servants.
An alert neighbour, who saw smoke coming out of the house, called the Fire and Rescue Department and also the mother of the children.
One of the bedrooms damaged in the fire
Wan Julaini inspecting an electric iron which was switched on and left unattended that triggered the fire
When the fire fighters arrived at the scene, they didn’t know the children were inside the house. The mother of the two children, who also arrived at the same time as the fire fighters, alerted them of her children inside the house.
The fire fighters rushed inside and carried the sleeping children to safety much to the relief of their mother. Waking up due to the commotion, one of the little ones claimed that she saw smoke but continued to sleep.
Also present at the scene were Assistant Superintendent of Fire and Rescue Department Zulkefli Alimas, Assistant Superintendent and Public Relations, Prevention and Fire Inspection Officer of Operation ‘B’ Wan Julaini bin Wan Ibrahim, Deputy Station Officer Reduan Duraman and Commanding Officer Operation ‘B’ Awg Abdul Aziz bin Hj Muhammad.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an unattended iron box that was left switched on in one of the rooms in the house.
It was the second incident involving an unattended iron box that was left switched on this month. Members of the public have been urged to be cautious especially when handling home appliances such as iron box or cooking devices that could lead to a fire outbreak when left unattended.
SEPANG: Back from her success in Shanghai, China where she won the Asian Wave 2012 competition recently, singer Shila Amzah, whose full name is Nur Shahila Amir Amzah, is determined to achieve bigger success for herself and Malaysia at the international level.
What makes the country very proud of her is that she chose to showcase the 1Malaysia concept by singing three songs in different languages, namely local singer Jaclyn Victor’s “Gemilang”, “Grenade” by Bruno Mars and “Zheng Fu” by popular Chinese singer Na Ying, in the competition final.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at the KL International Airport (KLIA) here Wednesday, Shila said the three songs were chosen to showcase her talent, as well as the beauty, uniqueness and harmony of multiracial Malaysia, which captivated the audience.
“1Malaysia really suited my performance that day. It was a colourful performance, afterall Malaysia is full of colours.
The competition was also participated by finalists from China, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India.
Shila who went to a Chinese school during her first two years at primary level, has won many new fans, especially among the Chinese both in China and Malaysia after her perfect rendition of the Mandarin song.
She has received a few offers from China but has not made any decision on these yet.
Shila’s father, a popular singer known as ND Lala in the 1980′s, said the success in the competition was not just for her but for all Malaysians.
A police personnel inspects the car involved in the fatal accident at Km21.8 Leburaya Utara Selatan to Bukit Kayu Hitam.
JITRA: Two friends on their way to Hatyai, Thailand were killed when their car skidded and hit the rear of a lorry at Km21.8 of the North South Expressway, heading toward Bukit Kayu Hitam, at 11.15am.
The victims, Khaw Chun Seong, 21, from Taman Simpang Jaya, Simpang Empat, Alor Setar and Lee Guang Shyoung, 25, from Kota Permai, Bukit Mertajam, Penang died at the scene from serious head injuries.
Kubang Pasu police chief Supt Ibrahim Mohamed Yusuf said moments before the accident, several Projek Penyelenggaraan Lebuhraya Berhad (Propel) workers saw a Toyota Vios being driven very fast before skidding and spinning several times before hitting their company lorry.
He said the vehicle driven by Khaw was believed to be trying to avoid crashing into the Propel lorry which was on the left side of the highway as it was carrying out highway maintenance works.
Several Propel workers involved were not unhurt and the work maintenance signage were set up 50 meters away to warn motorists.
It is believed that the two victims who were working at a finance company in Kuala Lumpur were on their way to Hatyai to spend the holiday with other colleagues who were waiting in Thailand.
The bodies of the two victims have been sent to the Jitra Hospital for post-mortem. - Bernama
Law (right) and Fauzilan fielding questions from reporters at Lawas Police Station yesterday
LAWAS: Police are keeping close tabs on all broadcasts, reports, messages and rumours concerning the murder of 19-year-old Edwin Singa here last Friday as seditious content could jeopardise public order.
State Deputy Police Commissioner Dato Law Hung Soon cautioned that anyone with ill intent could be hauled up under Section 506 of the Penal Code which provides for a penalty not exceeding two years imprisonment or fine, or both upon conviction.
“We have received information on many SMS, blogs and word of mouth which are inaccurate speculations that could jeopardise public order. All these must stop as this is an offence,” Law said when met by reporters at Lawas Police Station yesterday.
Also present were OCPD Lawas DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz.
Law said that while action had yet to be taken against those involved, investigations were under way and those found flouting the law would be charged, including under the Multimedia Act for those spreading falsehoods and seditious materials.
When asked for updates on the murder investigation, he said investigation papers would be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Office for a decision once the probe was completed.
“I am happy with the investigation process.”
Meanwhile, Fauzilan declined to comment on the suspects that had been arrested thus far, saying his men was still tracking down more suspects.
The peaceful atmosphere in Lawas was shattered last weekend after speculations and rumours spread like wildfire through the social media and SMSes. The picture painted was that there was racial tension in Lawas following the murder of Edwin.
On Tuesday, a group staged a demonstration and later handed over a memorandum to Lawas police calling for justice and fair investigation into the tragic case.
Law said he was happy with the peace prevailing here. He said the situation was a far cry from the chaotic picture painted in the social media.
“We can see that it is business as usual and the people are getting on with their lives as usual. If there are any problems, the people could also call the OCPD here directly.”
Law said it was important that in a multi-racial society everyone is able to enjoy peace. He added that the law is there for people to seek legal redress while the police would safeguard security and peace for everyone, irrespective of their backgrounds.
Meanwhile, Lawas District Officer Mohd Supaih Hamdan has called upon all communities here to pray for solidarity, peace, and security.
He said the unfortunate incident in Lawas represented a test of the spirit of solidarity of the society in Lawas district, and hoped it would continue to prevail to enable them to move forward towards their common goals and aspirations.
Supaih slammed the acts of certain individuals who exploited the situation to incite racial tension.
“We should be thinking about the future of our succeeding generations, and inculcating virtuous and religious values in them as the foundation of living in peace and harmony.” - BORNEO POST
MIRI: Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has advised the people of Lawas to remain calm as the death of Edwin Singa Pelipus, 19, last Friday is a criminal case and not a race or religious issue.
“Let us all allow the police to investigate the matter and let the law takes its course. This is not a race or religious issue, and we must not allow this incident to become one,” said Baru in a press statement emailed to The Borneo Post yesterday.
Baru, who is also a lawyer and state PKR chief, said the murder of Edwin in Lawas was tragic and extended his condolences to Edwin’s family.
He noted that the protest in Lawas last Monday wanted justice done, and added that the organisers had alleged there were two other cases of physical violence and stabbings – one resulting in grievous bodily injuries and the other turning the victim into a physical handicap.
Baru said it was alleged these incidents occurred in Lawas from as far back as 2005, and they were all linked to a drug known as Syabu (methamphetamine).
It was further alleged that all these criminal acts were perpetrated by the same group of people.
Baru commended Lawas police chief DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz for giving his personal assurance to the protesters that the case would be fully investigated.
He added that the protesters also wanted to highlight the Syabu menace that had been plaguing Lawas and demanded that the authorities put a stop to it.
“They want to make it known that their protest was not based on racial or religious sentiments, unlike those suggested by some bloggers and irresponsible quarters seeking to stoke or incite racial and religious sensitivities by reporting twisted facts.
“Let no party or persons claim that racial or religious sensitivities have been affected. Let us be clear that this is strictly a criminal case and that as peace loving citizens we shall let the authorities do their work unhindered.”
Baru claimed he had sent a text message calling for calm and advising the protesters not take the law into
their own hands, and he was grateful that they dispersed peacefully after the protest.
“I have raised the issue of Syabu in Lawas during the DUN sitting this year, and it is unfortunate that it takes a killing for the authorities to finally agree to act.” - BORNEO POST
SIBU: A new-born baby girl believed to be less than a day old and weighing 2.16kg was found abandoned inside a box by the roadside at Mile 11, Oya Road yesterday.
An old lady who happened to be at the area at about 8am heard something which sounded like a baby crying and went on the search for it.
She stopped a couple who was on a motorcycle and asked them to help with the search. To their surprise, they found a baby wrapped in a towel surrounded by ants.
The couple then brought the baby to Sibu Hospital, arriving there at about 9.15am.
Upon inspection, the baby seemed to be very healthy and the hospital suspected that the baby was born the night before.
The Welfare Department is currently handling the case.
KUCHING: A nurse was made RM1,000 poorer after falling victim to snatch thieves minutes after withdrawing the cash from an automated teller machine on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old withdrew the money which was meant to pay her monthly car instalment from an ATM machine in Padungan around 11pm before making her way to the Petanak Market to buy vegetables.
Two men on a motorcycle, who were believed to have been trailing her when she was withdrawing the cash, grabbed her handbag from behind as she was walking along the road and sped off.
The incident happened so fast that the victim was unable to get a description of the machine or its licence plate number.
Firemen lowering themselves into the opening leading to the makeshift tunnel at Gunung Tabai in Taiton, Bau
BAU: The illegal gold mining activities taking place at Gunung Tabai in Taiton here has claimed the life of another man after he was crushed by a boulder while inside a makeshift underground tunnel early yesterday.
The victim, identified as Lee Sze Chun, 33, was about 25 feet inside the shaft when a boulder- said to be roughly the size of a Perodua Kancil car – fell on top of him and killed him on the spot. The deceased was part of a group of 10 men who made their way down the tunnel to illegally mine gold.
Three of them made their way back up about half an hour prior to the 2.30am incident, while the remaining six managed to find their way up after the tragic incident unfolded.
District police chief DSP Mohd Sabri Zainol said police received a report of the incident at 5.30am, and quickly notified the Fire and Rescue Services Department before launching a rescue operation at 7.30am.
“A team of firemen were initially unable to locate the body due to the shaft branching off in several directions.
“Once the body was located, it was discovered that the deceased had been crushed by a boulder the size of a Perodua Kancil car, making it extremely difficult to extricate,” said Mohd Sabri, who was at the scene to monitor the operation.
He added that five local villagers were roped in to help secure the tunnel walls from potentially collapsing while firemen strived to extricate the body.
Rescuers and local villagers discussing the location of the trapped body inside the tunnel
It is learned that Lee used to stay in Taman Desa Wira in Batu Kawah but had moved here together with his wife, who hails from Buso. His wife who was present at the scene declined to be interviewed by reporters.
Commenting on the latest illegal gold mining-related death, Mohd Sabri said it was unfortunate that there were those who were willing to put their lives at great risk in search of quick money.
“The police have repeatedly advised and also warned the people not to involve themselves in this activity, but they choose to disregard what we tell them.
“Once again, I am pleading with parents who have sons doing this (illegal gold mining), or wives whose husbands are involved, to tell them to stop risking their lives and think of their loved ones instead of looking for easy money,” said the OCPD.
At 5.30pm yesterday, rescuers were still unable to extricate Lee’s trapped body, with Mohd Sabri revealing efforts were underway to chisel the boulder after attempts to move it proved futile.
The latest ‘gold rush’ death follows two known incidents in 2011 which cost the lives of three men.
The first incident occurred on March 16 in which a 28-year-old man from Paku was buried alive some 80 feet inside an underground makeshift tunnel which collapsed.
The second incident happened on July 2 the same year which claimed the lives of two men- a 19-year-old from Krokong and his 37-year-old relative.
Despite the many measures taken by the police as well as the company holding the rights to the mountain to secure the area from trespassers, illegal miners- spurred by the high price of gold- continue to find ways to make their way up via foot paths in the surrounding jungle.
The prospectors would then make their way down makeshift shafts- some said to be up to 100 feet deep- to dig for earth which they would then sell to middlemen for an average of RM60 for every 10kg bag.
As of press time yesterday, Mohd Sabri said rescuers had managed to chip away almost half of the boulder, but were still unable to retrieve Lee’s body, adding also that the operation will be put on hold if the dark conditions posed a danger to those inside the tunnel.
