Latest news with #KelantanPolice
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Malay Mail
Kelantan cops defend Kemumin homestay raid, say 20 attendees admitted being gay
KOTA BHARU, July 23 —Police have clarified that the recent raid on a private gathering at a homestay in Kemumin was conducted based on valid intelligence and evidence, with no intent of discrimination. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the operation was carried out to maintain public order and safeguard moral values. He said intelligence revealed that invitations to the event, 'Majlis Malam Mesra Komuniti & Santai-Santai' were shared via WhatsApp among a select group, with no involvement from any official body such as an NGO or the Ministry of Health. 'On the day of the event, the Kelantan Police Task Force began surveillance at 5pm and observed around 100 individuals gathering to eat and socialise. The raid was carried out at about 1am to ensure public safety,' he said in a statement last night. He added that 20 individuals at the premises admitted to being part of the gay community. Among them were a man from Perak and a student from a higher education institution in Besut, Terengganu, while the rest were locals from Kelantan. Mohd Yusoff also said that checks on their mobile phones found three individuals in possession of pornographic videos involving same-sex acts. 'All three were charged under Section 292 of the Penal Code and pleaded guilty in the Kota Bharu Magistrate's Court on July 20. They were fined between RM3,000 and RM4,000,' he said. The raid also uncovered hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication at the premises. He advised the public not to spread unverified information and to continue cooperating with authorities to preserve harmony in the state. Yesterday, the Kelantan government reminded all parties to inform local authorities and relevant agencies in advance before organising any events, to avoid confusion, misunderstanding, and negative public perception. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said any event, including health-related programmes, should be conducted properly and in accordance with existing procedures and regulations. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Kelantan open to talks with AIDS council, cops over LGBT event
Kelantan deputy menteri besar Fadzli Hassan said programmes touching on sensitivities must be approved by the relevant authorities. PETALING JAYA : The Kelantan government has expressed its willingness to meet with police and the Malaysian AIDS Council regarding the recent organisation of a programme related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Kota Bharu. Deputy menteri besar Fadzli Hassan said they were seeking to discuss and gain a clearer understanding of the event so the matter can be resolved diplomatically, and to dispel any unfounded allegations. 'Perhaps the mistake was not the organiser's. That's why it needs to be investigated first so that police are not wrongly blamed by the public. 'The police have their job, the AIDS council also has its responsibilities. 'Any programme that goes against the state government's policies and the customs of Kelantan's people is something we simply cannot accept,' Bernama reported him as saying at the Kota Darulnaim Complex today. Fadzli said programmes touching on sensitivities, especially when held within village communities, require permission from the relevant authorities such as the Kelantan Islamic religious affairs department, police and others. He said the state government can also take appropriate action if any event is found to have violated any of its regulations In mid-June, Kelantan police raided an LGBT-related event involving more than 20 men at a bungalow on Jalan Kemumin in Kota Bharu. Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat was reported as saying the operation was conducted based on tip-offs and intelligence gathered by a special task force, following complaints. A search of the premises uncovered hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication stored in a special room believed to be used as a storage place by the organisers. The Malaysian AIDS Council said it had conducted an outreach session on June 17 in Kemumin to engage with high-risk communities as part of HIV prevention efforts before the police raid. The programme, which ran from 8pm to 2am, was part of a strategic approach by the health ministry to deliver more inclusive and community-centred HIV treatment services.
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Lambasted for raiding HIV medical outreach by alleging ‘gay sex party', Kelantan cops say just trying to do what's ‘right'
KOTA BHARU, July 19 — Kelantan police have reportedly defended their recent raid on HIV health outreach programme here in June, after previously claiming that it was a 'gay sex party'. After the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) and civil groups criticised its conduct over the raid, the police claimed they had 'solid proof' after receiving complaints lodged by the public. 'Following the complaint, we carried out intelligence work before launching the raid at 1.15am, where we found 20 individuals in the house,' Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat was quoted saying by Berita Harian. 'The raid was conducted with everyone's best interests in mind. Our intention was simply to undertake amar makruf and nahi mungkar,' he added, referring to the Islamic concept of enjoining good and forbidding wrong. He also claimed that the raid was necessary to maintain public safety and order in the state. Mohd Yusoff stressed that the operation had no political agenda and was not meant to discredit the Kelantan state government. Yesterday, the MAC confirmed that it conducted a night outreach session here on June 17 under the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations model. MAC said the session was in collaboration with Kota Jembal Health Clinic and part of a strategic approach introduced by the Health Ministry. This comes as a coalition of civil society groups had also urged Kelantan police to revise their statement on a June 2025 raid of an alleged 'gay sex party' here, which they clarified was in fact a health outreach event. The groups, led by transgender rights advocacy group Justice for Sisters, said media reports following the raid resulted in harmful and stigmatising remarks that have intensified fear among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals seeking health services.
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Kelantan cops probe drug smuggling in cow rectums, tighten border watch
KOTA BHARU, July 17 — Kelantan police are investigating the possibility that drug smugglers are concealing contraband in the rectums of cows and goats, and using livestock pens as transit points prior to distribution to other states. Its chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said police had received intelligence on the new tactic but had yet to find solid evidence. 'We received information that some cattle or goat pens are being used as transit points for drugs. We are currently conducting intelligence, with the assistance of other enforcement agencies,' he told a special press conference here today. He also revealed allegations that certain pen owners deliberately withholding food and water from cattle during a two-week quarantine period. 'The purpose may be to prevent the cattle from defecating (since drugs are hidden in the rectum), so that the drugs do not come out. We have received information but have yet to confirm it physically,' he said. Mohd Yusoff said cattle smuggling from Thailand occurs in two forms, legally with a permit and through the quarantine process or illegally without a permit, without enclosures and brought in directly across the river or through rat trails. He said the hot spots for cattle and drug smuggling are usually concentrated from Pasir Mas to Tanah Merah as the river in the area is narrow and shallow, making it easier for syndicates to cross. 'Kelantan police together with the General Operations Force, Marine Police and the army are continuously tightening control along the 136 km border with Thailand, besides actively sharing information with the authorities of the neighbouring country. 'We don't leave the border stark open. We have fortifications, patrols and cooperation with Thailand to ensure that drugs do not penetrate our country,' he said. Mohd Yusoff admitted that the state remains a main transit location for drug syndicates smuggling supplies from the neighbouring countries before distribution to other states and abroad. He said that most drugs such as syabu, ganja and heroin are not popular for local use, but are instead smuggled in through the Kelantan border to be sent to the west coast of the Peninsula, including Kuala Lumpur, or to other countries. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
17-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Kelantan contraband seizure boosted by integrated ops, stricter border controls
Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said the success reflects the positive impact of strategic collaboration between state and federal enforcement agencies. (Bernama pic) KOTA BHARU : The value of contraband seized in Kelantan surged by almost 78% in the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year, driven by enhanced integrated operations and stricter border controls. Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said RM171.5 million worth of contraband was seized between January and June, compared to RM37.2 million during the corresponding period last year. He described the achievement as a source of pride and a clear indication of the effectiveness of the integrated operations strategy, particularly following the border closure implemented in December 2024. 'This success also reflects the positive impact of strategic collaboration between state and federal enforcement agencies. 'The strong synergy established has been effectively leveraged, resulting in tangible improvements in security control across the state,' he said at the monthly assembly of the Kelantan police contingent here today. Yusoff said the success was the result of well-organised efforts, sacrifices, and meticulous planning by the entire team. He called for the continued strengthening of cross-agency cooperation, not only to sustain current achievements, but also to serve as a catalyst for more aggressive efforts to combat smuggling along the border. 'Our objective is not merely to boost seizure statistics, but to safeguard the sovereignty, security, and overall well-being of the Kelantan community,' he said. He emphasised the need to leverage digital technology and artificial intelligence to enhance enforcement capabilities and operational efficiency, and underscored the importance of discipline and integrity among enforcement personnel, describing them as the cornerstone of public trust in the police. 'The trust that we shoulder is not mere rhetoric, but a profound responsibility to religion, race and country,' he said.
