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New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
SSF Home's Q4 net profit falls 5pct on margin pressure
KUALA LUMPUR: SSF Home Group Bhd posted a five per cent drop in net profit to RM5.8 million for the fourth quarter ended April 30, 2025, from RM6.2 million a year earlier, dragged by a lower gross profit margin. Quarterly revenue edged up 0.7 per cent to RM50.9 million, supported by sales from newly opened outlets. For the full year, net profit fell 17.8 per cent to RM5.9 million from RM7.2 million, as revenue slipped four per cent to RM152.5 million from RM158.9 million due to weaker overall sales. The company expects rising production and logistics costs from the expanded Sales and Service Tax, inflationary pressures, and slower global growth amid geopolitical tensions and trade negotiations with the United States. However, it expressed confidence in adapting through strategic pricing, improved cost efficiency, and strong supply chain partnerships. "The group remains committed to strengthening its retail positioning through value-for-money offerings, strategic pricing, and product innovation that align with evolving consumer preferences. "In line with our rebranding efforts, SSF Home is focused on delivering affordable and practical home living solutions, supported by refreshed store formats and enhanced customer experience," it said in a bourse filing. Executive director Lok Kok Khong said the group remained focused on executing its strategic plans despite a tough operating landscape. "This includes expanding into major urban areas, enhancing the retail experience, and staying in tune with shifting consumer preferences," he said.
New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Police call for AI-monitoring system at courier centres to screen for drugs
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal police have suggested that artificial intelligence monitoring systems be used to monitor and screen parcels at courier centres for drugs. The move follows the latest bust involving the seizure of RM7.2 million worth of cocaine-laced vapes and equipment. Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department Director Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said they believed the syndicate planned on shipping the drugs out via courier service to interested parties abroad. "We believe courier centres will greatly benefit from using artificial intelligence monitoring systems to screen parcels and shipments for drugs," he said when contacted today. Yesterday, it was reported that police crippled the country's first-known cocaine vape distribution syndicate following the arrest of four men, including three Singaporeans, in Ampang Jaya last week. The arrests were carried out on June 19, following intelligence received on their activities. The first suspect, a 57-year-old local, was detained along with two Singaporeans, aged 46 and 25, in a Toyota Vellfire parked at the exit lane of a hotel in Ampang Jaya. A fourth suspect, a 31-year-old Singaporean, was nabbed shortly after at the lobby of the same hotel. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 10 boxes containing 4,958 vape cartridges filled with liquid suspected to be cocaine, amounting to 9,420ml, where the stash was found in the rear passenger seat area," he told reporters here today. The total street value of the drugs is estimated at RM7.29 million and is enough to supply nearly 5,000 addicts. The syndicate is believed to have been operating since March this year, using rented condominiums around the capital as packaging hubs before distributing the cocaine-laced vape liquids to international markets. The cocaine had been fully processed and was ready for distribution before the suspects were detained.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- The Sun
RM7.2 million cocaine vape cartridge bust in Ampang Jaya arrest
KUALA LUMPUR: An attempt by an international syndicate to smuggle cocaine in the form of vape cartridges through Malaysia was uncovered when the police managed to arrest four individuals and seized nearly 5,000 cartridges, worth RM 7.2 million, in a raid in Ampang Jaya last Thursday. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the suspects comprise a 57-year-old local man and three Singaporean men, aged between 25 and 46 years old. He said that during the raid at around 11.45 am, the NCID team intercepted a Toyota Vellfire in the parking area of a hotel in the capital and found 10 boxes, containing 4,958 vape cartridges suspected to contain cocaine liquid, with an estimated weight of 9,420 millilitres (ml). 'The drugs in question are estimated to be worth RM7.2 million, and the investigation found that the syndicate used Malaysia as a transit point before shipping them via air courier services to international markets,' he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman today. According to Mat Zani, initial investigations found that the syndicate involved, believed to have been active since March, rented an Airbnb condominium unit in Ampang for RM300 per day as a location for processing and packaging cocaine cartridges for the overseas market. 'Each vape cartridge containing 1.9 ml of cocaine liquid can be sold at a price of around RM1,500 per unit in the international market, considering that this type of cocaine is difficult to obtain in the Southeast Asian region due to its high price and is usually used by the elite,' he said. He said further investigations found that one of the suspects tested positive for ketamine, while the other two had criminal records related to drug cases. 'In addition to the drug seizures, the police also confiscated various items worth RM2,975 for asset forfeiture actions, bringing the total value of the confiscated and seized items in this operation to RM7.29 million. 'This is the first case of cocaine seizure in the form of vape cartridges detected in Malaysia, and we believe this modus operandi is used to deceive the authorities and facilitate delivery abroad,' he added. All suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 20 to June 26 to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a mandatory death sentence if convicted.
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Barnama
Police Bust Cocaine Vape Syndicate Targeting International Market
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- An attempt by an international syndicate to smuggle cocaine in the form of vape cartridges through Malaysia was uncovered when the police managed to arrest four individuals and seized nearly 5,000 cartridges, worth RM 7.2 million, in a raid in Ampang Jaya last Thursday. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the suspects comprise a 57-year-old local man and three Singaporean men, aged between 25 and 46 years old. He said that during the raid at around 11.45 am, the NCID team intercepted a Toyota Vellfire in the parking area of a hotel in the capital and found 10 boxes, containing 4,958 vape cartridges suspected to contain cocaine liquid, with an estimated weight of 9,420 millilitres (ml). "The drugs in question are estimated to be worth RM7.2 million, and the investigation found that the syndicate used Malaysia as a transit point before shipping them via air courier services to international markets," he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman today. According to Mat Zani, initial investigations found that the syndicate involved, believed to have been active since March, rented an Airbnb condominium unit in Ampang for RM300 per day as a location for processing and packaging cocaine cartridges for the overseas market. "Each vape cartridge containing 1.9 ml of cocaine liquid can be sold at a price of around RM1,500 per unit in the international market, considering that this type of cocaine is difficult to obtain in the Southeast Asian region due to its high price and is usually used by the elite," he said. He said further investigations found that one of the suspects tested positive for ketamine, while the other two had criminal records related to drug cases. "In addition to the drug seizures, the police also confiscated various items worth RM2,975 for asset forfeiture actions, bringing the total value of the confiscated and seized items in this operation to RM7.29 million. "This is the first case of cocaine seizure in the form of vape cartridges detected in Malaysia, and we believe this modus operandi is used to deceive the authorities and facilitate delivery abroad," he added.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Bus crash site among key highway sections set for upgrades this year
KUALA LUMPUR: The site of the tragic accident, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, yesterday, has been identified as one of the key sections of the East-West Highway (JRTB) slated for upgrading, with RM55 million allocated for improvements this year. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said that since 2023, various initiatives have been undertaken to enhance the Gerik-Jeli route, particularly along the FT04 federal road. In June 2023, an allocation of RM30 million was approved for the reconstruction of sections of the JRTB, he said. Two months later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM30 million to further upgrade the route. "This allocation has been utilised to upgrade and maintain several critical sections of FT04," he said, in a Facebook post. He said that ongoing works include road resurfacing, and the repair of facilities, bridges, street lights, and traffic lights along both directions of the route. Nanta said that all upgrading works on FT04 were completed in phases between July and August 2023, with a total cost of RM55.73 million, based on road damage assessments conducted through the pavement condition assessment (PCA). He said that, in 2024, RM7.2 million had been allocated for various repair works at several other sections of the route. Nanta said that, while the police investigation into the tragic accident early yesterday morning is still ongoing, he has received various reactions regarding the road conditions, which have gone viral on social media. "As I have emphasised before, the ministry remains fully committed to ensuring that road infrastructure is safe and comfortable for all users. "At the same time, I must stress that road safety is a shared responsibility, including that of road users themselves," he said. Yesterday's tragic incident involved a chartered bus carrying UPSI students from Jertih, Terengganu, to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The bus overturned following a collision at KM53 of JRTB, near Tasik Banding, Gerik, claiming the lives of 15 students. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, his assistant, and three passengers of the Perodua Alza.
