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New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Excavation did not cause Putra Height explosion
SHAH ALAM; The Selangor State Assembly was informed today that the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1 was not caused by excavation works, nor was it the trigger for the resulting blaze. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said investigations by the police, Minerals and Geoscience Department, and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) confirmed that the groundworks did not impact the gas pipeline. "According to checks with the local authorities, the 4.2-metre monsoon drain construction and the residential development took place around 2008 to 2009, before the establishment of the One-Stop Centre in 2010," he said during a briefing on the Putra Heights incident at the Selangor state assembly today. Amirudin also refuted allegations that the developer had carried out unauthorised construction near the Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) reserve. He clarified that the company had complied with Petronas' safety conditions and obtained formal approval to proceed with works on March 20, 2025. He also denied claims that the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) had failed to meet the necessary criteria when approving the planning permission for works within the Petronas buffer zone, explaining that while PGB's buffer zone requirement is 60 feet, the approved buffer zone at the Putra Heights site was 66 feet. Earlier, DOSH Petroleum Safety Division director, Husdin Che Amat, was reported as saying that the incident was caused by weak soil conditions beneath the pipeline. He said that while the pipeline met all technical specifications, the investigation revealed that the ground beneath it was weak and failed to provide proper support, leaving a segment of the pipe resting over soft, wet soil. On a separate development, Amirudin said the reconstruction and repair works for the affected homes are ahead of schedule. He said that based on assessments by the Economic Planning Unit, three homes in Taman Putra Harmoni will be rebuilt, while 46 will undergo repairs, and another 46 units are still undergoing final structural inspections. He added that in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, of the 17 homes affected, 11 will be rebuilt and six repaired. He said that as of now, homeowners in Taman Putra Harmoni have submitted repair claims amounting to RM458,440.50, while residents of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru have filed claims for RM884,934. He reminded residents that they have until Oct 27 to submit all required documents, with MBSJ, which is acting as facilitator. "Following the assessment, the state government will propose to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to raise the ceiling for repair costs from RM30,000 to RM60,000 to account for roofing tiles and replacement of fittings such as water tanks," he concluded. – BERNAMA
Borneo Post
26-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Suspected Sibu drug trafficking syndicate mastermind released on police bail
The suspect is escorted to the courtroom. SIBU (June 26): A 52-year-old man suspected of being the mastermind of a drug trafficking syndicate here with his wife was released on police bail today. Senior Assistant Registrar Jessica Lee issued the release order based on an application by investigating officer Insp Aminur Rizwan Saiful Bahari. The suspect did not have legal representation. His 44-year-old wife, who was represented by lawyer Darren Ling, was released on Tuesday after the expiration of her remand order. The husband and wife were arrested after police raided a space at Jalan Pedada and two terraced houses at Lorong Permai Jaya on June 12 and 13. Drugs worth RM532,934 were seized involving 7.0867kg of methamphetamine, 2.0789kg of ketamine, and 2.0226kg of Erimin 5 pills. Also seized were cash totalling RM5.1 million, four gold bars, two gold necklaces, three Rolex watches, two luxury cars, and a saloon car. The seizures worth a total RM8.5 million are believed to be the highest ever recorded in Sarawak. Initial police investigations pointed to the husband and wife allegedly being the main masterminds of the drug syndicate, which had been active since 2015. The syndicate sourced its drugs from Peninsular Malaysia using courier services. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. If not sentenced to death, the offender must also receive a minimum 12 strokes of the cane.
Borneo Post
20-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Sibu married couple alleged to have led drug trafficking syndicate further remanded
The male suspect is escorted out of the courtroom following proceedings. SIBU (June 20): The Magistrates' Court here today further remanded a husband and wife arrested recently for allegedly masterminding a drug trafficking syndicate. Magistrate Oon Kork Chern allowed the 52-year-old male suspect to be further remanded for seven days, while his 44-year-old wife was remanded for another four days, following the expiration of their initial seven-day remand order which began on June 13. The court also ordered the female suspect, represented by lawyer Darren Ling, to reappear in court on June 24, while the male suspect, who was unrepresented, will return to court on June 27. Investigating officer Insp Aminur Rizwan Saiful Bahari had requested the court extend the remand of both suspects for seven more days to assist with investigations. On June 12 and 13 , police from the Sibu Narcotics Crime Investigation Division had raided a shop on Jalan Pedada and two terraced houses in Permai Jaya, leading to the couple's arrests. Drugs worth RM532,934 were seized involving 7.0867kg of methamphetamine, 2.0789kg of ketamine, and 2.0226kg of Erimin 5 pills. Also seized from the syndicate were cash totalling RM5.1 million, four gold bars, two gold necklaces, three Rolex watches, two luxury cars, and a saloon car. The seizures worth a total RM8.5 million are believed to be the highest ever recorded in Sarawak. Initial police investigations revealed that both suspects were the main masterminds behind the drug syndicate, which had been active in Sibu since 2015. The syndicate sourced its drugs from Peninsular Malaysia using courier services. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. If not sentenced to death, the offender must also receive a minimum 12 strokes of the cane. drug syndicate lead married couple Sibu magistrates' court
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Decade-old Sibu syndicate crippled; 2 nabbed, RM8.5mil in drugs, assets seized
KUCHING: Police have seized drugs, cash, and assets worth RM8.5 million following the arrest of two key figures behind a drug syndicate that had been operating in Sibu for the past decade. Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the suspects, a 52-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, were detained in the course of three raids in the town on Thursday and Friday. "The arrests and seizures were made by a team from the Sibu police headquarters Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) at a shoplot along Jalan Pedada and two terraced houses in Lorong Permai Jaya. "The suspects are believed to have been actively involved in drug distribution in Sibu since 2015. Intelligence and investigations confirmed they were the masterminds behind the syndicate," he said. He added that the suspects had been sourcing drugs from Peninsular Malaysia via courier services before distributing them in the Sibu market. Urine tests found both suspects negative for drug use, and neither had any previous criminal records, he said. "The raids led to the discovery of 7.08kg of syabu, 2.07kg of ketamine, and 2.02kg of Eramin 5 pills, worth a combined RM532,934. The drugs were enough to supply nearly 50,000 addicts. "Police also confiscated RM5.1 million in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, a Lexus RX350F Sport, a Lexus ES250, and a Toyota Vios. Bank cards, house keys and drug-packing tools were also seized for further investigation," he said. Mancha said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. If not sentenced to death, a mandatory whipping of no fewer than 12 strokes will be imposed upon conviction. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 13 to facilitate investigations. "Efforts are underway to track down the remaining members of the syndicate to ensure the entire operation is dismantled," he said. The public are urged to report drug-related activities by contacting the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.
Borneo Post
16-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Masterminds arrested in Sarawak's largest drug trafficking syndicate bust, RM8.5 mln in seizures
Mancha points to one of the items seized from the suspects as Zulkipli (second left), Mustafa (second right) and others look on. SIBU (June 16): Police have successfully busted the largest drug trafficking syndicate in Sarawak's history with the arrest of a married couple on June 12 and 13, said Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata. He said the suspects were arrested in raids at three separate locations, namely beside a shop in Jalan Pedada and two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya here. 'The couple are suspected of being involved in drug trafficking activities. 'The arrests led to the seizure of a large amount of drugs worth RM532,934 involving 7,000g of syabu and some Eramin 5 pills. This amount of drugs can be used by about 49,702 drug addicts,' he said during a press conference at Wisma Pengaman in Sibu District Police Headquarters here today. Mancha said that police also seized various assets believed to be proceeds from the syndicate's illegal activities, estimated to be worth RM7.9 million. 'The assets included cash totaling RM5.1 million, four gold bars, two gold necklaces, three Rolex watches, two luxury cars and a saloon car with the total seizure worth of RM8.5 million which is the largest amount ever recorded in Sarawak. 'Among other items that were also seized for investigation purposes include identity cards, house keys, and drug packaging equipment,' he added. Mancha said initial investigations revealed the couple were the masterminds of a drug trafficking syndicate operating in the Sibu area, believed to have been active since 2015. He added that the drugs were obtained from Peninsular Malaysia and sent via courier services for distribution in the local market in Sibu. 'Urine test results showed both suspects tested negative for drugs and had no prior criminal records. 'The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a death sentence or life imprisonment and not less than 12 strokes of whipping if not sentenced to death. 'Both suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 13 to 20 to assist in further investigations,' he said. Mancha said police are now actively pursuing other members of the syndicate to ensure it is fully crippled. 'The Royal Malaysia Police, especially the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), remain committed and determined to combat drug trafficking activities which are the country's main enemy,' he said. The public is urged to channel any information related to drug abuse or trafficking by contacting the NCID hotline at 012-2087222. Also present were Sarawak NCID chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah and Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili.
