Day: June 23, 2026

PDRM Deploys Over 300 Personnel To Curb Diesel Smuggling Along Borders – IGP

PDRM Deploys Over 300 Personnel To Curb Diesel Smuggling Along Borders - IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has deployed over 300 personnel to border-area petrol stations to proactively prevent diesel smuggling and misuse. ​Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said this follows the government’s announcement of a new subsidised diesel price for locals, set at RM2.10 per litre from […]

Over 140,000 Synthetic Drug Abuse Cases Recorded Last Year – Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 -- Synthetic drug abuse in the country continues to present a worrying situation, with 141,817 cases recorded last year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said 145,526 cases were recorded in 2023, followed by 192,852 cases in 2024. “Synthetic drugs are the most widely abused substances in the country, accounting for about 70 per cent of all drug abuse cases, particularly involving Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS),” he said during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) on the number of synthetic drug addiction cases from 2023 to date and the government’s strategy to address the rise in the use of such drugs, including fentanyl. Saifuddin Nasution said data obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) showed that cases were concentrated in several states, with the east coast identified as among the worst affected. “Based on the data, we mapped the cases and found the situation to be most severe in the east coast states. This means that in the east coast corridor, the issue is no longer cannabis, heroin, ketum or morphine. “Instead, users are gravitating towards ATS, particularly syabu (methamphetamine). More recently, when police conducted operations against adulterated vapes, we discovered another substance, fentanyl. This is far more dangerous, being dozens of times more potent than morphine and capable of causing death,” he said. Saifuddin Nasution said fentanyl is a new drug that has been added to the list of scheduled substances through amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, enabling enforcement action to be taken against its abuse. However, he said the spread of fentanyl in the country has yet to reach a serious level compared with other synthetic drugs, although its presence has begun to be detected. He added that about 192,000 cases of drug abuse involving all types of drugs have been recorded so far since January this year, equivalent to 560 cases for every 100,000 Malaysians, with nearly 75 per cent involving those aged between 15 and 39. “However, at the district level, Pendang recorded the highest rate, followed by Kuala Krai, while Bachok, Besut and Mersing also ranked among the areas most affected. “These figures are also reflected in our prisons. Out of every 100 inmates, about 70 are linked to drug-related cases, whether convicted or on remand. In some prisons, such as Machang, nearly 100 per cent of cases are drug-related,” he said. He said the AADK has adopted various approaches, including community-based prevention, education programmes in educational institutions, and family and workplace intervention programmes, in addition to working with the PDRM and the Customs Department on enforcement. Replying to a supplementary question from Khoo on whether Malaysia has become a transit hub or distribution centre for drugs, Saifuddin Nasution said advances in technology have made it easier to purchase drugs online. “These platforms do not regulate the goods being sold and purchased. This has become another challenge and risk in terms of enforcement,” he said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Synthetic drug abuse in the country continues to present a worrying situation, with 141,817 cases recorded last year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said 145,526 cases were recorded in 2023, followed by 192,852 cases in 2024. “Synthetic drugs are the most widely abused substances in the […]

Unemployed man accused of murdering businessman in Jasin

JASIN, JUNE 23 -- An unemployed man was charged in the Magistrate's Court here with murdering a businessman in front of a barber shop in Rim here, two years ago. P Kogilanathan, 27, nodded in understanding after the charge was read out by a court interpreter before Magistrate Mazana Sinin. However, no confession was recorded from the accused as the murder case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. According to the charge, Kogilanathan, together with three other individuals who are still at large, are charged with murdering M Vinurd, 24, in front of a barber shop in Taman Rim Baru here, between 8.39 and 11pm, August 25, 2024. The prosecution was carried out under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment for not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years and, if not sentenced to death, at least 12 strokes of the cane. The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Noor Syazwani Mohamad Yusri, while the accused was represented by lawyer Nur Aida Md Zainuddin. Meanwhile, in another separate proceeding at the same court, Kogilanathan pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless driving and endangering the public at South Asia Park, at about 7.30pm, March 4, 2024. He was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment) 2020 which provides for a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000, as well as disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of not less than five years from the date of conviction. Noor Syazwani offered bail of RM10,000 while Nur Aida requested a lower amount on the grounds that the accused was unemployed and had to support his father who had heart disease and his mother who had diabetes. The court granted bail of RM4,000 for the reckless and dangerous driving charge, but the accused remained in custody on the murder charge. The court set August 26 for the case to be mentioned again. -- BERNAMA

JASIN, JUNE 23 — An unemployed man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with murdering a businessman in front of a barber shop in Rim here, two years ago. P Kogilanathan, 27, nodded in understanding after the charge was read out by a court interpreter before Magistrate Mazana Sinin. However, no confession was recorded […]

Fire Destroys Keropok Shop, RM500,000 Lost

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 23 -- A keropok (fish cracker) trader in Kampung Losong Su here suffered losses estimated at RM500,000 after his premises were destroyed in an early morning fire today. Shop owner Rohaimi Mohd, 43, said he discovered the incident at about 5.40 am after checking CCTV footage on his mobile phone shortly after waking up. The businessman, who has operated the family enterprise for the past 12 years, said the fire was still in its early stages when he arrived at the premises. Still, his attempts to extinguish it were unsuccessful. “When I arrived, the fire had not spread extensively. I managed to enter the office, switched off the main power supply and tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, but failed. My hair and skin were slightly burnt. In less than 10 minutes, the fire grew rapidly, and I had to get out to save myself,” he said when met at the scene today, just 50 metres from his house. Rohaimi, who inherited the business from his late uncle, said the blaze destroyed stock worth RM170,000, including new supplies received just two days ago. Also destroyed were 22 refrigerators and freezers, as well as a Yamaha NVX motorcycle. “I am at a loss thinking about my family's future because we depend entirely on this business for our livelihood. “My four employees also rely on this business to support their families. At the moment, I can only pray that Allah will show us a way through this hardship,” said the father of four. Meanwhile, the officer-in-charge of the Kuala Terengganu Fire and Rescue Station, Thoyibbah Taib, said they received a report about the fire at 6.28 am, and quickly deployed three fire engines and 18 personnel to the scene to carry out firefighting and rescue operations. “The blaze was brought under control and fully extinguished by 6.49 am. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no casualties were reported,” he said. -- BERNAMA 

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 23 — A keropok (fish cracker) trader in Kampung Losong Su here suffered losses estimated at RM500,000 after his premises were destroyed in an early morning fire today. Shop owner Rohaimi Mohd, 43, said he discovered the incident at about 5.40 am after checking CCTV footage on his mobile phone shortly after […]

Penang formulates comprehensive plan to address Jalan Berapit safety issues

BUKIT MERTAJAM, JUNE 23 -- The Penang State Government, through the state Public Works Department (JKR), has devised several short-term and long-term solutions to improve road safety on Jalan Berapit here, following complaints from the public regarding safety issues in the area. The chairman of the state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee, Zairil Khir Johari, said that among the short-term measures that will be implemented is painting the road lines with yellow transverse bars and red rumble strips to provide a visual warning and vibration effect to drivers to slow down. "In addition, the installation of road signs including stop signs, no entry signs, directional signs and accident area warnings is also proposed to increase the level of awareness among road users," he said in a statement today. He said that Jalan Berapit is a route under the supervision of the state Public Works Department and is subject to the Road Technical Instructions (ATJ), therefore, the proposed construction of a hump at that location is not permitted due to safety factors and legal implications. Zairil said other measures that were also proposed were painting yellow box lines to ensure smooth traffic at intersections, painting pedestrian crossings to improve the safety of local residents, and installing barrier posts or bollards to prevent motorcycles from encroaching on pedestrian walkways. For a long-term solution, Zairil said, the state Public Works Department will submit an official application to conduct a Road Safety Study to identify blackspot areas and assess appropriate engineering treatment methods. "Among the proposals that will be examined through the study is the implementation of a Left-In/Left-Out (LILO) system which only allows movement in and out to the left to reduce high-risk crossing movements." "Other suggestions include the construction of road medians as physical separators between opposing traffic flows to reduce the risk of head-on collisions and control vehicle movement in a more orderly manner," he said. However, he said, all the proposals are subject to approval by the technical committee based on existing guidelines and Road Technique Instructions. Zairil also reminded road users to always drive carefully, obey the set speed limit and practice a responsible attitude when on the road. He said road safety not only depends on the infrastructure provided, but is also influenced by the level of discipline and concern of each driver. "A careful driving attitude is a key factor in preventing accidents and protecting the lives of other road users," he said. -- BERNAMA

BUKIT MERTAJAM, JUNE 23 — The Penang State Government, through the state Public Works Department (JKR), has devised several short-term and long-term solutions to improve road safety on Jalan Berapit here, following complaints from the public regarding safety issues in the area. The chairman of the state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee, Zairil Khir Johari, […]