Latest news with #RM8.5mil
The Star
26-06-2025
- The Star
Suspected drug syndicate leader released on bail
SIBU: A 52-year-old man, believed to be the mastermind behind the state's largest drug trafficking syndicate, has been released on police bail following the expiry of his remand period. The decision was made on Thursday (June 26) by Senior Assistant Court Registrar Jessica Lee Suk Kiun, acting as Magistrate, after Investigating Officer Inspector Aminur Rizwan Saiful Bahari submitted an application. The suspect, who was not represented, had previously been remanded for seven days from June 20. Earlier, his 44-year-old wife was also released on police bail on June 24 after the expiry of a four-day extended remand. The couple were arrested following a series of raids carried out by the Sibu District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (JSJN) on June 12 and 13. Drugs and assets seized from them totalled RM8.5mil, marking the biggest haul in the state's history. The raids were conducted at a shop located at the Pedada Commercial Centre and two terraced houses in Lorong Permai Jaya. As a result of the operation, police managed to seize various types of drugs with an estimated street value of RM532,934.40. The haul included 7,086.7 grams of syabu, 2,078.9 grams of ketamine, and 2,022.6 grams of Erimin 5 pills. Also confiscated during the operation were RM5.16mil in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, two luxury Rolex watches, and three vehicles. Preliminary investigations suggest that the couple are believed to be the principal figures behind a drug trafficking syndicate that has been actively operating in the Sibu area since 2015.
The Star
17-06-2025
- The Star
Major Sarawak-based drug syndicate busted
Major haul: Comm Mancha speaking during the press conference about the duo who were arrested and the seizure of cash, drugs and other items. — Bernama SIBU: Police have crippled a major drug trafficking syndicate that had been operating here for nearly a decade, arresting two people in a series of raids. They also made the largest drug and asset seizure in the state, totalling RM8.5mil, during the raids on June 12 and 13 at three locations, following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities. Sarawak police chief Comm Datuk Mancha Ata said the locations were a shoplot in Pusat Pedada and two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya. 'A 52-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, believed to be the syndicate's masterminds, were arrested,' he told a press conference here yesterday. He said police also seized drugs worth about RM532,934.40. It included 7,086.7g of syabu, 2,078.9g of ketamine and 2,022.6g of Erimin 5 pills. 'The total amount of drugs seized is enough to feed the habit of 49,702 drug addicts,' said Comm Mancha. Police also confiscated assets believed to be proceeds from the drug trade, including RM5,157,450 in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, two luxury vehicles – a Lexus RX 350 F Sport and a Lexus ES 250 – as well as a Toyota Vios. Police also seized various items used in the syndicate's operations, including bank cards, house keys and drug packaging equipment. According to Comm Mancha, initial investigations revealed that the suspects had been running the syndicate since 2015, obtaining drug supplies from Peninsular Malaysia via courier services and distributing them to the local market in Sibu. 'Both suspects tested negative for drugs and have no criminal records. 'They are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and not less than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction,' he added. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 13 to assist with the investigation. Comm Mancha added that the police are actively pursuing other members of the syndicate still at large in an effort to completely dismantle the network. He urged the public to report any drug-related activity to the police.
The Star
16-06-2025
- The Star
Police dismantle major drug syndicate in Sibu
SIBU: Police have dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate operating in Sibu for nearly a decade, seizing drugs and assets totalling RM8.5mil. This is the largest in Sarawak's history. Two suspects, a 52-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, believed to be the masterminds, were arrested during the raids. "The raids were conducted on June 12 and 13 at three locations: a shop lot in Pusat Pedada and two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya, following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities," said Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata on Monday (June 16). Mancha said police seized drugs worth an estimated RM532,934.40, including 7,086.7 grams of syabu (methamphetamine), 2,078.9 grams of ketamine, and 2,022.6 grams of Erimin 5 pills. 'The total amount of drugs seized is enough to supply about 49,702 drug addicts,' Mancha said. In addition to the narcotics, police confiscated high-value assets believed to be proceeds from the drug trade, valued at RM7,997,450. These include RM5,157,450 in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, and luxury vehicles: a Lexus RX350F Sport, a Lexus ES250, and a Toyota Vios. Police also seized various items used in the syndicate's operations, including bank cards, house keys, and drug packaging equipment. According to Mancha, initial investigations revealed that the duo had been running the operation since 2015, obtaining drug supplies from Peninsular Malaysia via courier services and distributing them in Sibu. "Both suspects tested negative for drug use and have no prior criminal records. They are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment with no less than 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed," he explained. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 13 to 20 to assist with investigations. Mancha added that police are actively pursuing other syndicate members still at large to completely dismantle the network. He emphasised the commitment of the police, particularly the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, to fighting drug-related crime, one of the nation's most serious threats. The public is urged to report any drug-related activity via the JSJN hotline at 012-2087222.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Sabah's Queen Elizabeth Hospital gets 100 new haemodialysis machines
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has gifted 100 units of haemodialysis machines to alleviate the burden of end-stage kidney failure patients in the state. State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib handed over the machines in an event held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital II here Thursday (June 12). In his speech, he said that this is part of the Sabah Maju Jaya Health Assistance Scheme with an allocation of RM8.5mil. 'Out of this amount, RM4mil is for treatment and RM4.5mil is for the dialysis machines. 'Eligible patients who do home dialysis will also get a monthly subsidy of RM100 for their treatment,' James said, adding that this is aimed at lessening the burdens of needy patients. He said the number of patients has increased from 1,831 in 2020 to 2,133 in 2024. With such an increase, the need to improve medical services also increased, he said, adding that the government was committed to providing quality and affordable medical access to patients. To date, Sabah has a total of 474 haemodialysis machines to be shared among all patients, but only 435 units are functioning properly while the rest are in need of repair. Patients using these machines are required to pay RM13 for each session, and they have to do it a few times a week, depending on the severity of their condition. In another event earlier, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital saw the launch of its new signboard and history gallery, an initiative led by the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia (CALM), in collaboration with the Sabah State Health Department and the hospital. The effort aims to preserve the legacy of one of Sabah's oldest and most important hospitals, while recognising the contributions of healthcare personnel since its establishment. Speaking at the handover ceremony of the signboard and gallery, Sabah Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the initiative reflects an appreciation of the significant role QEH has played in the development of the State's healthcare system. 'Queen Elizabeth Hospital has played an important role in the lives of Sabahans for many years. This initiative ensures that the hospital's history and the sacrifices of those who have served here are not forgotten,' he said. The new signboard serves as a historical marker highlighting the hospital's colonial-era origins, including its official opening by the Countess of Perth in 1957 and the visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, which led to the hospital's official naming. The historical gallery displays photographs, documents, and key artefacts marking major milestones in the hospital's growth. It is open to the public and serves as a resource for students, researchers, and the wider community. Masidi also expressed appreciation to CALM for its commitment and leadership in realising the project, and commended the close collaboration with the Sabah Health Department and QEH. He added that other hospitals should consider similar efforts to preserve their institutional history and foster greater public appreciation of Malaysia's healthcare system.
