Teenage Girl Found Hanged At Home

Police carrying the girl’s body from her home on Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: A Form Four student was found hanged at her home in Kampung Likas on Thursday evening.

Norsarina Azmi, 16, is believed to have taken her life but police are still investigating to determine the motive. The girl’s 19-year-old sister found her hanging by a rope from her bedroom ceiling around 6pm.

City police chief ACP Jauteh Dikun, when contacted yesterday, said initial police investigation found no foul play involved in the case.

He said the girl’s body was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a post-mortem. - BORNEO POST

King Cobra Frightens Residents Of Hilltop Garden

JPAM personnel taking a close look at the deadly reptil

MIRI: Personnel from the Civil Defence Department (JPAM) here rushed to a house at Hilltop Garden recently upon receiving a frantic call that there was a King Cobra atop a mango tree in the backyard of a house.

The owner of the house had earlier spotted the more than three-metre-long deadly reptile, and the discovery sent chills down the spine of his family members.

They immediately alerted JPAM for help. It is understood that JPAM personnel took about 15 minutes to subdue the snake and later kept it inside an unused aquarium. - BORNEO POST

Uses Knife To Clean Eyes In China

Liu Deyuan

Eye cleaning is an ancient craft in China, where there is an old saying that cleaning the eyes renders the beauty in life visible.

After sharpening his razor, a barber holds open one of his customer’s eyes and draws the razor across the eye lid. it is a daily occurrence in Chengdu.

This is a traditional Chinese practice called “eye shaving”. Sichuan barber Liu Deyuan, 53, is one of the few barbers still known to engage in the practice today.

Liu Deyuan has operated an eye-cleaning stand in a small park in Chengdu city for the past 7 years.

After shaving his customer he then gives his knife a quick rinse with water before using it to clean their eyes. To do this he holds open their eyelids before scraping the blade back and forth over the eyelid and then the eyeball. 

He then uses a small rod, which he slides back and forth under the upper and lower eyelids like a windshield wiper.

RM100,000 Each For Kins Of 2 Slain Soldiers

Cpl Ahmad Farhan Ruslan

Cpl Ahmad Hurairah Ismail

KOTA BAHARU: The families of two security forces from Kelantan who were killed in the Ops Daulat offensive in Lahad Datu, Sabah received RM100,000 each from the Sabah state government, yesterday.

Sabah State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman represented the Sabah Government in presenting the contribution to Cpl Ahmad Hurairah Ismail’s mother Rahmah Mamat, 50, and Cpl Ahmad Farhan Ruslan’s mother Roslawati Ghani, 44, at a brief ceremony held at Wisma Perwira Markas Lapan Briged here.

Also present were National Security Council (NSC) secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab, NSC Kelantan secretary Roslee Mamat, Sabah State Affairs and Research secretary Rodzi Md Saad and 8th Brigade chief of Staff Lt Col Mohd Zaki Abu.

Meanwhile, in Lahad Datu police advised the public to dismiss rumours that a housewife was held hostage by four terrorists for more than two hours at her house in Kembara Sakti, Felda Sahabat 43, here, yesterday.

Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Tan Kok Liang said there was no indication to show that the incident, purportedly at 2pm, did happen as claimed by the woman.

“The police are nevertheless investigating,” he said in a press conference at the Felda Sahabat 16 operations base, near here.

In the alleged incident the woman reportedly claimed she was alone when the four terrorists came and tied her up, but she managed to free herself while they were busy looking for food.

Tan also dismissed claims that some shots were fired during the incident, causing panic and fear among the residents who ran to the nearby mosque for protection.

“But we have stationed some security forces at the village to assure the safety of residents and make them feel at ease while carrying out their daily routine,” he said. - BERNAMA

Felda Settler Recounts Terrifying Moments When Intruders Attack

LAHAD DATU: A Felda settler had to trek the jungle in the middle of the night with his wife and two children after terrorists intruded Tanjung Labian on March 1.

Mohd Asri Aliudin became lost for over two hours in the oil palm plantation before arriving at the house of a friend in Kampung Lok Buani, 3 km away.

He had barely rested when he had to return to the oil palm plantation after hearing gunshots at about midnight.

Recounting his scariest moment, Mohd Asri, 33, said at that time he only thought of rescuing his wife and two girls aged two and four years. “We covered their mouth fearing that their screams would be heard by the terrorists,” he said.

He said terrorists attacked his village at about 10am by firing into the air, sending the villagers running and shouting “run, run, the Sulus have arrived.”

“We were terrified by the sound of explosion and gunfire. I saw several men dressed in black walking and firing in the air. I also saw a cloud of smoke.”

Mohd Asri said he lost oil palm fruits worth RM2,400, four cows and six goats to the terrorists from southern Philippines.

Mohd Asri said there was panic but he managed to bring along personal documents before fleeing with his family.

After four hours, he arrived at the friend’s house in Kampung Lok Buani and only reached his in-laws house in Felda Sahabat, 7 km away at 5am.

After 21 days, Mohd Asri is still staying at his in-laws house pondering the uncertain future as he had lost his source of livelihood.

He lost oil palm fruits worth RM2,400, four cows and six goats to the terrorists from southern Philippines. - BERNAMA

Philippines Detains ‘Militants’ Trying To Flee Sabah

MANILA: The Philippines Navy said it had detained 35 suspected Filipino militants yesterday as they sought to sail home from a military offensive against them in Sabah.

They are believed to be remnants of a band of up to 300 followers of a self-proclaimed Filipino sultan who entered Sabah a month ago to stake a territorial claim on the area, regional military chief Rey Ardo said.

“They were coming back (home) … they are armed,” Lieutenant-General Ardo said on ABS-CBN television, confirming less detailed reports of their arrest by the Philippines Navy.

The self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu vowed his men would not leave until Malaysia recognised their territorial claims.

However, after a stand-off that lasted more than two weeks, Malaysian security forces launched a major operation against the gunmen.

The 35 people detained yesterday were on two small boats that were intercepted by two navy patrol vessels on the Philippines side of the sea border with Malaysia, navy spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gregory Fabic told AFP.

They were sailing to a Philippine island about 60 kilometres from the area of Sabah at the heart of the security offensive, according to Ardo, the regional military commander.

Fabic and Ardo said there were 34 men and one woman aboard the boats, both of which carried guns.

Ardo said one of the men was wounded, possibly from the Sabah clashes. - AFP

Ringleader Still In Lahad Datu

A Malaysian soldier on the lookout for Sulu gunmen

LAHAD DATU: Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib believes Agbimuddin Kiram, who led a group of armed Sulu gunmen into Lahad Datu on Feb 12, is still alive and hiding in Kampung Tanjung Batu, some 130km from Lahad Datu town.

“The Malaysian security forces believe he (Agbimuddin) is still here and with his group because as a leader he must not run.

“He will not run and leave his people by themselves here. He must lead them,” said Hamza during a media briefing together with Army First Infantry Division chief Maj-Gen Datuk Ahmad Zaki Mokhtar at the Felda Sahabat 16 yesterday.

Hamza said his belief that Agbimuddin never left the area was also based on the tight security at the red zone of the ‘Ops Daulat’ area, including sea route.

Agbimuddin is high on the Malaysian security forces’ wanted list after the deadly intrusion into Lahad Datu via Kampung Tanduo, some 150km from here.

After the first shootout on March 1, the number of deaths on the enemy’s side stands at 56, and 25 of the terrorists’ remains had been taken out of the red zone.

The number of Malaysia’s security forces killed stands at 10 eight police personnel and two soldiers. One of the soldiers, Cpl Ahmad Farhan Ruslan, had died due to a road accident at Km37 Lahad Datu-Kampung Tungku Road.

Hamza said vehicle escort Ahmad Farhan was killed when a three-ton military vehicle in the convoy from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu for ‘Ops Daulat’ skidded at 7.30am on Tuesday.

“We (police) will investigate this accident under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

“Nine members of Malaysia’s security forces are on the injured list.

“The security in Lahad Datu and Semporna is beginning to return to normal. Daily activities have resumed and schools have reopened, except those located within the operation zone (Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Labian, SK Lok Buani and SK Fajar Harapan).

“As announced by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday (Tuesday), the students will be moved to another school so that their education is not affected, especially those sitting for the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination this year,” he said.

Hamza said no clashes were reported since Tuesday night up to 10am yesterday and that operations had been extended to Sungai Nyamuk near Tanjung Batu.

On Kampung Tanduo residents, Hamza said no green light had been given yet for them to return to their respective homes. He said although earlier reports had stated that the village was cleaned several factors needed to be studied, including whether they are squatters or illegal immigrants.

“There are only 10 houses there. Many aspects had to be considered, including the status of their citizenship. “The creation of the Sabah Special Security Area (ESSCOM) also requires that we carry out a more comprehensive study to resolve the matter.

“If they have no rights on the land, we may not allow them to return,” he said.

Asked for updates on the 12-year-old boy who was killed by Malaysian security forces recently, Hamza said police had yet to determine his identity.

“When you talk about identification, what do you mean by identification? Do they have document with them? They did not have any documents with them, so how can we identify them. We cannot, and we cannot simply say they are from this group or that group.

“As far as we are concerned, they are among the terrorists because they came from the target area.

“To prove a person’s identity, like being Malaysian, you need an identity card to show that you are Malaysian. You need a birth certificate. If you do not have any documentation, how can you say they are foreigners or they are Malaysians?” asked Hamza. - BORNEO POST

‘Foreign Ministry Views Seriously Alleged Rape Of Indonesian Woman’

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

Selena Gomez Cries At Award Ceremony

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.”

Africans Buy Luxury Items Online At Malaysians Expense

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.

Sex Blogger Alvin Tan Loses Scholarship

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.

Najib Joins Deepavali Crowd Tt MIC Open House

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.

MIC Deepavali open house

Victoria's Secret Axes Karlie Kloss Native American Outfit

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.

12 Year-Old Cries Rape By Stepfather

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.

Thai Woman Arrested With 2.1kg Syabu

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

I Never Use Drugs, Says Malaysian Student

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

6.7 Magnitude Quake Strikes Off Indonesia’s Papua

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.

Jealousy Suspected In Murder Of Trader

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.

Morning Accident At Mile 3 Claims Life Of Motorist

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.

Hoax Threat Forces China Plane To Land

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