
MACC's action against Daim amounts to abuse, says Mahathir
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned the MACC's move to freeze overseas assets belonging to the late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, reportedly worth around RM4 billion.
The former prime minister described the authorities' drastic measures as a form of 'abuse' against Daim and his family, especially given that no formal charges have been brought so far.
'What was (the late) Tun Daim's crime? Did he steal? Is there...

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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Three family members charged with rape, concealment of sexual crimes
BALING: A security guard and two of his family members were charged at the Baling Sessions Court today for multiple offences, including rape and the concealment of a sexual crime involving a minor. The 49-year-old security guard, who is the 15-year-old victim's stepfather, pleaded guilty to the charge as it was read before judge Najwa Che Mat. He was accused of raping the victim at a house in Pulai, here, around 4pm on June 24. The charge was framed under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code for rape of a woman whose relationship to the accused is such that he is not permitted under the law, religion, custom or usage, to marry. If found guilty, the accused faces a a jail term of between eight and 30 years and no fewer than 10 strokes of the cane. Deputy public prosecutor Amirul Halimi Md Salleh led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Masniah Dolah from the National Legal Aid Foundation. The court granted bail at RM30,000 and fixed Aug 10 for mention, pending submission of the victim's medical report. Separately, the accused was also sentenced to 15 months' jail for possession of obscene materials. According to the charge, he was found in possession of explicit images and videos on a mobile phone while in custody at the Baling police headquarters about 3.40pm on June 27. He was charged under Section 292(a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of three years, a fine, or both. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months in jail, effective from the date of his arrest. In the same proceedings, the victim's 17-year-old biological brother pleaded guilty to raping her at the same house about 10am on June 15. He was also charged under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code. The court allowed bail of RM4,000 and fixed Oct 30 for mention. Meanwhile, the victim's 45-year-old biological mother was fined RM2,000 for failing to report the sexual crimes to the authorities. According to the charge, the woman, who works as a shop assistant, had reasonable grounds to believe a sexual offence had been committed against her daughter, but failed to inform the police. The offence was alleged to have occurred at a secondary school in Jalan Baling around 10am on July 24, last year. She was charged under Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 upon conviction. She pleaded guilty and was fined RM2,000, in default eight months' jail.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Kota MADANI development meets modern needs with sustainable facilities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kota MADANI development project has been justified as a necessary initiative to address current housing and infrastructure demands, particularly for civil servants. Designed with sustainability and advanced safety features, the project aims to provide comprehensive facilities, eliminating the need for residents to fund basic amenities later. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan emphasised that the project integrates digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) while prioritising essential services. These include schools, mosques, a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution, and a government health clinic. 'This is not a new Putrajaya or a mega mall project, but one focused on delivering basic facilities to meet the increasing needs of residents,' he said in a Facebook post. Zulkifli noted that past developments often excluded critical amenities in initial planning, forcing communities to raise funds for construction. 'With these planned facilities, residents will no longer need to travel long distances to send their children to school or go to mosque, which is a common challenge today.' The project aligns with the MADANI philosophy, promoting balanced development in education, spirituality, recreation, and economic activities. Zulkifli urged nationwide adoption of this model, stating it would benefit residents and stakeholders. Launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 26, the RM4 billion Kota MADANI project in Precinct 19, Putrajaya, operates under a public-private partnership via a build, lease, maintain, and transfer (BLMT) framework, requiring no initial government funding.


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Illegal moneylenders getting increasingly aggressive, says MCA's Michael Chong
KUALA LUMPUR: Loansharks of Ah Longs have stooped to another level when it comes to intimidation by hosting "a funeral" for one of their borrowers, revealed Datuk Seri Michael Chong. The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head said a victim by the name of Tan saw a portrait of himself in a wake setting, complete with joss sticks. 'The complainant had borrowed RM10,000 from a money lender for his business in February, and had repaid RM6,000. Previously, he had taken five different loans totalling RM50,000, all of which have been settled. 'On June 26, an Ah Long sent him a picture of a staged wake, which has since been deleted. This kind of intimidation shows how low they can go. Previously the Ah Long threw paint and fire bombs, but because this is considered arson, they are using psychological tactics,' he told a press conference at Wisma MCA on Tuesday (July 1). In another case involving a complainant by the name of Chan, the loan shark's runner has been harassing borrowers for more and more money. 'The complainant had borrowed RM700 and paid RM1,000 to this Ah Long who goes by the name of Kai Qian, but he kept demanding for more. 'On June 26, this loan shark began to send voice messages threatening the complainant. I suspect that this guy, who is a runner, has gone rogue without the knowledge of his boss, thus causing the company a big problem. As such, we have the duty to expose such individuals because some of these money lenders are legitimate,' he said. Chan had borrowed from nine different sources to cover his living expenses, and has settled two on his own, while he has managed to settle RM4,800 out of RM12,500 owed to the remaining seven. Chong also revealed a heartbreaking case involving a mother, Kuek Bee Bee, who wants to disown her son Chong Kok, who fled from money lenders. The 63-year-old from Cheras, who was sobbing over the fate of her family, is pleading with the money lenders to stop the harassment. 'The family has received multiple threats via phone calls demanding payment, as well as burning the house and kidnapping Kuek's grandchildren. 'Her son left the house on June 17 and the family has no knowledge of his whereabouts. The mother had previously paid RM13,000 of the debts in May, but the son borrowed more. 'The family was even locked out of their home with a chain and padlock, with a note instructing them to contact several numbers. The family has since lodged three reports in June,' Chong said, adding that the family is now living in fear, leading to the mother disowning her son. In view of rampant aggresive intimidation of borrowers, Chong's deputy Ivan Tan said there was need for stricter laws to address the matter, with the bulk of such cases falling under Section 506 and 503 of the Penal Code. 'Many of these Ah Long are quite aware of these laws and the punishment for it, and look for ways to skirt around them. 'So, we would like to urge the government to study the Penal Code pertaining to this issue,' said Tan, who is a lawyer. As of June, the MCA has received 165 moneylending related cases involving a sum of RM18.6mil, of which over 85% are from the Chinese community.