Motoring influencer ‘Ija', brother jailed a month over faked disappearance, car dumped in river
Magistrate Suzana Mokhtar handed down the sentence after both accused, Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin, 38, and his brother, Tengku Abdul Aziz, 30, pleaded guilty to their charges.
According to the charge, Tengku Nizaruddin, popularly known on Facebook as 'Ija,' was accused of abetting his brother by instructing him to provide false information to a police officer regarding his disappearance.
Tengku Abdul Aziz was accused of lodging the false report at the Lenga police station's enquiry office at 11.38 pm on July 15.
The pair were charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code for providing false information to a public servant, read together with Section 109 for abetment.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both.
How the hoax unfolded
The case began after Tengku Abdul Aziz filed a report on his brother's disappearance on July 14.
The following day, the Perodua Axia driven by Tengku Nizaruddin was found abandoned in Sungai Tui, Bukit Kepong.
This discovery prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation involving the Fire and Rescue Department, police, and the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela).
However, Tengku Nizaruddin surrendered at the Lenga police station on July 19 and admitted to faking his disappearance.
Police investigations revealed that after dumping his car into the river, Tengku Nizaruddin contacted his brother, who picked him up.
The two then travelled to Taman Sri Mawar in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan. From there, Tengku Nizaruddin took an express bus to Thailand via Padang Besar, Perlis.
His entry was flagged by the Immigration Department's system, and investigators also found a flight ticket to Hat Yai, Thailand, dated July 17, which had been booked the day before.
CCTV footage also placed him at the Seremban Bus Terminal at 9.25 pm on July 14.
During mitigation, the brothers' counsel from the National Legal Aid Foundation, Nor Hafizah Abdullah, said her client was prompted to act due to financial problems and not, as some had speculated, to take another wife in Thailand.
Tengku Nizaruddin also publicly apologised to all parties and expressed regret for his actions.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Nur Ameerah Allaudeen and Yasmin Mohd Piah.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
18 minutes ago
- The Star
Education Ministry denies claims of inaction in Zara Qairina case
PETALING JAYA: Claims that the Education Ministry failed to act following the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir are untrue, says Fadhlina Sidek ( pic ). The Education Minister said the ministry is working closely with the police and is fully committed to making sure justice is served. "If there is any wrongdoing, the Education Ministry will not protect anyone," she said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (July 29). "It's not true that I did nothing until the case gained public attention. This is a serious lie," she said. Fadhlina also said she visited the student's family at the hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17 and asked the Sabah Education Department to give the family immediate support. "This case is a top priority for the ministry. I've been getting daily updates and following the situation closely," she said. She added that Sabah Education Department has made several visits to the family and provided crisis support for pupils, teachers and school staff to help them cope emotionally. Zara Qairina, died in hospital on July 17, a day after she reportedly fell from the third floor of her school dormitory. Her death has led to various claims, including allegations of bullying.
New Straits Times
18 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Police arrest 81 illegal immigrants in palm oil theft crackdown
TELUK INTAN: A total of 81 illegal immigrants were detained by police in Operation Helang Hilir Phase 2, conducted early this morning, on suspicion of being involved in stealing oil palm fruits in the district. Hilir Perak district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin, said all those arrested were Indonesian men aged between 20 and 56, caught during raids on 19 premises, including plantations and workers' quarters at oil palm estates. He said the raids on premises in Langkap, Labu Kubong, Chui Chak, and Teluk Intan began at 1am today, based on information and intelligence gathered by the police. "This operation is a continuation of integrated actions aimed at curbing economic losses due to agricultural product theft in this district. "It is intended to combat the increasingly rampant theft of oil palm fruits involving foreign nationals," he said in a statement today. He added that 56 of the illegal immigrants had no valid identification documents, while the remaining 25 held permits or visitor passes that had already expired. The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft which carries which carries a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Malay Mail
18 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Bomba backs AGC appeal against influencer brothers' one-month jail, RM1,500 fine for false report on volunteer fireman
MARANG, July 29 — The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) is leaving it to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to assess the sentence handed down to motoring influencer Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin and his brother, Tengku Abdul Aziz, for lodging a false police report. JBPM director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohamad said the department respects the court's decision to impose a one-month jail term and RM1,500 fine on the brothers, despite public criticism that the sentence was too lenient given the potential impact on public trust and safety. 'Some feel the punishment was too light, especially considering the damage to the credibility and safety risks posed by someone with influence. 'But we have to respect the authorities with greater legal standing on the matter,' he told reporters after the closing ceremony of National Firefighter Drill 2025 at the Eastern Region Fire and Rescue Academy parade ground in Wakaf Tapai today. Nor Hisham added that although JBPM has its own legislation, which could allow the department to act, the matter has been left entirely to the police as the primary enforcement authority. Yesterday, the AGC filed a notice of appeal against the Muar Magistrates' Court decision to sentence Tengku Nizaruddin and his younger brother, Tengku Abdul Aziz, to one month's jail and a RM1,500 fine for lodging a false report and providing false information to a public servant. In a separate development, Nor Hisham said JBPM Perak has been instructed to suspend a volunteer firefighter linked to a lewd video that recently went viral on social media. Although the individual involved is not a full-time firefighter, Nor Hisham said the incident has nonetheless tarnished the reputation of the department as a whole. 'It's deeply disappointing when someone from our ranks engages in such behaviour. Yesterday, I reminded all state JBPM directors to remain vigilant against any actions that could damage the department's image,' he said. — Bernama
