A 19-year-old man has been remanded for six days from today to assist in the investigation into the stabbing of a female student at a higher learning institution (IPT) campus near here yesterday.

The remand order was issued by Magistrate M. Kalaiarasi at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital here, as the suspect is receiving treatment for a finger injury.

The remand is to facilitate further investigation under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.

Yesterday, the media reported that a 19-year-old female student suffered serious injuries after being stabbed by a male friend at an IPT campus near here.

Kuala Muda district police chief ACP Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail confirmed the arrest and said the suspect was a former student of the IPT, while the victim was still studying there.

He said that before the incident, the suspect met the victim at 10.30 am yesterday to talk about their relationship, but she allegedly wanted to end it.

“In a fit of anger, the suspect stabbed the victim in the back and neck with a knife before fleeing the scene. However, he was arrested soon after,” he said.

A Road Transport Department (JPJ) personnel was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of RM80,000 by the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here on eight counts of corruption.

Judge Elesabet Paya Wan handed down the sentence on Che Fadzlie Izwan Che Johari, 38, after finding him guilty of the offence.

Che Fadzlie Izwan was charged with giving bribes amounting to RM4,250 to other JPJ personnel as an inducement for them to not take action against lorry operators for overloading.

The offence was committed at the JPJ office in Melaka Tengah between January 2019 and December 2020.

The charges were framed under Section 16(b)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

Judge Elesabet sentenced the man to a year in jail and a fine of RM10,000, in default three months imprisonment, on each count, with the jail sentences to be served concurrently from today.

However, she allowed a stay of execution of the sentence following a request by Che Fadzlie Izwan’s lawyer, Sheikh Ikhzan Sheikh Salleh.

The judge granted the stay on the condition that the Notice of Appeal be filed today. She also increased the bail amount to RM22,000.

The prosecution was conducted by MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Tahir.

The General Operations Force (GOF) Sarawak Brigade seized 525.45 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) valued at RM14.7 million here yesterday.

‘Op Hazard Sarawak’ was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE) and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).

Sarawak Brigade Commander SAC Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said the second operation of its kind sought to crack down on premises processing e-waste without a permit from the DoE.

During the three raids, nine individuals, one of whom was a woman and one a foreign man, aged between 26 and 55, were arrested.

“During the raids and inspections, authorities uncovered 525.45 tonnes of unprocessed e-waste components, estimated to be worth RM14.7 million.

“These were seized alongside three containers (shipping), three heavy vehicles (industrial), and various types of machinery and equipment, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to RM21.6 million,” Che Ghazali said in a statement today.

He said all detainees have been handed over to the respective district police headquarters for further action.

“The seized items, meanwhile, have been transferred to the DoE and relevant local authorities for further investigation,” he said.

Che Ghazali said the offences fall under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005, as well as the laws, ordinances, and regulations under MPP.

“It is crucial that premises handling e-waste obtain valid permits or licences from the DoE to ensure compliance with regulations governing the dismantling, processing, and smelting of illegally smuggled e-waste.

“The GoF Sarawak Brigade, together with the DoE and local authorities, will continue collaborating to combat environmental crimes and uphold the law,” he stressed.

From January to March 17 this year, the GoF Sarawak Brigade has recorded seizures totalling RM197.3 million.

A total of 78 cases have been reported, resulting in 186 arrests — comprising 137 locals and 49 foreigners — and the seizure of 111 vehicles of various types.

Two siblings are feared to have drowned while bathing in Batang Mukah near Jalan Kampung Bedanga yesterday.

Dexper Kiu Kuang Wei, 10, and his sister, Susie Kiu, seven, are believed to have been washed away by strong river currents.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre spokesman said it received a report at 4.23 pm before dispatching a rescue team from the Mukah Fire and Rescue Station to the scene.

“The search for the siblings was called off at 6.35 pm after they could not be found,” he said in a statement.

He said the search would resume tomorrow morning.

An elderly man has claimed trial to a fresh charge of slapping a non-Muslim man for eating in public during Ramadan.

The accused, Abdul Razak Ismail, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out in the Magistrates’ Court here today.

​Earlier, the 65-year-old retiree was released after the Magistrate’s Court granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA). He had already pleaded guilty then.

He was charged with slapping a non-Muslim man at a convenience store in a shopping mall here last Sunday.

A senior citizen lost RM62,109 after falling victim to a non-existent investment syndicate.

Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the 73-year-old man received a text message on Feb 28 from an unknown number promoting an attractive investment opportunity.

Through the advertisement, the victim was offered an investment scheme requiring an initial deposit of RM400, with a promised return of RM8,500 within 48 hours.

“After making the initial investment, the victim was instructed to make additional payments, purportedly for wages and processing fees related to the profit payout.

“Believing the scheme to be genuine, he used his savings from his time working at a newspaper company to make 18 transactions to nine different bank accounts, amounting to RM62,109,” he said in a statement today.

However, upon realising he had been scammed, the victim lodged a police report at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters (IPD) at 1 pm yesterday.

Azli added that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

A man and his son were burned to death after the sand-laden trailer they were travelling in crashed into the rear of a cotton-loaded trailer and burst into flames at Kilometre (KM) 331.8 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS), northbound, this morning.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said that the operations centre received an emergency call about the accident at 7.46 am.

He said a team of officers and personnel from the Bidor Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was dispatched to the scene and arrived at 7.57 am.

“The operations commander reported that the accident involved a sand-laden trailer, which crashed into the rear of a cotton-loaded trailer. The male driver of the sand-laden trailer, believed to be in his 40s, was found trapped inside the burnt-out vehicle.

“Meanwhile, another victim, the driver’s son, in his 20s, was also found burned to death, and the body was removed by the rescue team,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the remains of both victims had been handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), for further action.

Police will refer the investigation paper on the slapping incident involving a non-Muslim man at a convenience store in a shopping mall in the city to the Deputy Public Prosecutor by this Friday.

Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said that investigators had recorded the statement of the suspect, a 65-year-old local man, yesterday to assist in the probe.

“The 21-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for examination, while the suspect and several witnesses, including his son, have had their statements recorded by police. The doctor who treated the victim will also have his statement recorded.

“The investigation paper will be referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor before Friday,” he told reporters at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters here today.

The state’s top cop was earlier asked for an update on the investigation regarding the case that had attracted national attention.

Kumar appealed to the public to refrain from speculating on the incident, as its sensitive nature could threaten peace and harmony.

“This incident is an isolated case and does not happen often. Malaysians, as a multiracial and multicultural society, value tolerance. Therefore, please do not take matters into your own hands and leave the responsibility of investigating to the authorities,” he said, adding that the public can instead channel any information to the police.

​Previously, Johor Baru North police chief Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh Mahinder Singh said the victim filed a report regarding the incident at 9.08pm yesterday.

In a statement, he said the victim claimed to have been slapped twice on the right side of his cheek by an unknown elderly man after the suspect enquired about his religion and asked for his MyKad identity card.

“The victim’s refusal to hand over his identity card caused an argument before the victim was slapped by the elderly man,” he was reported saying.

The incident was trending on social media yesterday after a video of the argument between the two men was uploaded on X (formerly Twitter) by the owner of the account handle @bingbinge656.

The victim, through a tweet on the X, claimed that the elderly man asked whether he was a Muslim before asking to see his identity card.

An international drug syndicate operating in gated residential areas and industrial factories was busted after police raided three illegal laboratories and a drug factory during a special operation here and in the Seri Alam district recently.

Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the raids, which was carried out between March 6 and 11, led to the arrest of five local men and two Taiwanese men, aged between 25 and 40.

As a result of the raids, he said police also seized 42.5 kilogrammes (kg) of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder and 182.8 kg of syabu, both with a total value of RM12.95 million.

“Investigations found that the syndicate had been actively operating since July last year by using a rented homes in gated residential areas as their drug processing laboratories, while a factory at an industrial area was used as a storage warehouse.

“The seven suspects arrested included three chemists, who were all uncertified. We are still investigating the source of their expertise in drug processing, which is believed to be distributed for the international market,” he said at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters here today.

Kumar added that the police also seized various drug processing equipment and machines worth RM1.12 million and confiscated three vehicles worth RM319,000, a lorry (RM49,800), jewellery (RM15,822) and three bank accounts (RM17,600.37).

“The total amount seized is estimated to be at RM14.47 million.

​“The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952,” he said.

The suspects have all tested negative for drug abuse and were remanded until March 20.

A former police corporal, who has been on the run since 2009, claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to raping his underage niece.

The 57-year-old faces a charge under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code (Act 574), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and caning upon conviction.

According to the amended charge sheet, the accused allegedly committed the offence against the child at a house in Petra Jaya between 2003 and June 21, 2009.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Aiman Mutallib Mohamad Shariff is appearing for the prosecution, while the accused is represented by lawyer Abdul Rahman Mohamad Hazmi.

Abdul Rahman applied for bail, arguing that his client no longer resided in the same area as the victim.

However, Mohamad Aiman did not offer bail for the accused, as the charge involved a non-bailable offence.

Judge Iris Awen Jon rejected the bail application and set case mention for April 21.

It is understood that the accused has been on the run since the victim lodged a police report on July 20, 2009.

The victim claimed she had been raped approximately seven times between 2003 — when she was seven years old — and June 21, 2009, when she was 12.

It is understood that the accused had changed his name before fleeing to Indonesia, where he successfully obtained citizenship and had a foster family.

Based on information provided by the accused’s family members, he was apprehended at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 7, 2025 while preparing to depart for Indonesia.