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The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
Suspects ram police car in frantic evasion
Messy aftermath: The vehicles involved in the collision. — Photo from Tawau District Police Facebook KOTA KINABALU: Two drug addicts, including a teenager, rammed a police vehicle and collided with several cars in a desperate attempt to evade arrest in Tawau. The suspects were eventually apprehended after police cornered their vehicle during the incident, which took place around 1.45pm on Sunday near the Batu 3 industrial area at Jalan Apas. Tawau deputy police chief Supt Champin Piuh said a team from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division had been pursuing the suspects as part of Ops Tapis, a drug enforcement operation. The officers had earlier spotted a suspicious four-wheel-drive vehicle and attempted to intercept it. 'As the police attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspects became aggressive, ramming the police car and crashing into several civilian vehicles,' Champin said in a statement posted on the Tawau District Police Facebook yesterday. The suspects fled towards Jalan Apas, continuing to drive recklessly and hitting more vehicles along the route before being arrested. A search of the vehicle uncovered a fabric bag under the handbrake containing two transparent plastic packets of crystalline substances, believed to be syabu (methamphetamine), weighing about 5.13g, with an estimated street value of RM400. Subsequent tests revealed that both suspects, a 25-year-old local man and an 18-year-old foreigner, tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. The case is being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Police are now searching for other individuals who may be involved. He said the public can relay information to the Tawau District Police Headquarters or contact the 24-hour hotline at 089-772121 or via the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol app.
The Star
15-07-2025
- The Star
QuickCheck: Did two Tawau drug suspects ram a police car in a failed bid to flee?
CAR chases are exciting, and potentially, dangerous affairs and videos of such incidents often go viral on social media. One such incident caught on camera shows a four-wheel drive vehicle ramming a police car and colliding with several civilian vehicles before being intercepted, and two suspects were arrested. Is it true that such a car chase occurred in Tawau, as alleged in captions and comments on the viral video? Verdict: TRUE Tawau deputy OCPD Superintendent Champin Piuh confirmed the incident, saying that two drug addicts, including a teenager, rammed a police car and collided with several civilian vehicles in a desperate attempt to evade arrest. He said that the suspects were eventually apprehended after police cornered their vehicle during the incident, which took place at around 1.45pm on Sunday (July 13), near the Batu 3 industrial area at Jalan Apas. Supt Champin said, in a statement Monday (July 14), that a team from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division had been pursuing the suspects as part of Ops Tapis, a drug enforcement operation. Officers had earlier spotted a four-wheel drive vehicle being driven suspiciously and attempted to intercept it. 'As the police attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspects became aggressive, ramming the police car and crashing into several civilian vehicles,' said Supt Champin in a statement posted on the Tawau district police Facebook page on Monday (July 14). The incident, which occurred at a traffic light junction, was recorded by bystanders and has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread concern over the suspects' reckless behaviour. The suspects fled towards Jalan Apas, continuing to drive recklessly and hitting more vehicles along the route before being surrounded and arrested. A search of the vehicle uncovered a fabric bag under the handbrake containing two transparent plastic packets of crystalline substances, believed to be syabu (methamphetamine) weighing about 5.13g, with an estimated street value of RM400. Subsequent tests revealed that both suspects, identified as a 25-year-old local man and an 18-year-old foreigner, tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. The case is being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and police are continuing efforts to track down other individuals who may be involved. 'Police will not tolerate individuals who act aggressively, break the law, and endanger the lives of other road users,' Champin said. He also urged the public not to shelter or cooperate with drug dealers and encouraged anyone with information on criminal or drug-related activity to come forward via official police channels. 'Public cooperation is vital in helping us combat crime, especially drug trafficking, which remains a major threat to community safety,' he added. He said the public can relay information to the Tawau district police headquarters or contact the 24-hour hotline at 089-772 121 or via the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Police boost patrols at Kuala Krai school after pupil approached by stranger
KUALA KRAI: Police are increasing patrols and surveillance at a school in Guchil here following a viral video of a Year Four female pupil who was approached yesterday by an unknown man in all black, wearing a face mask, outside the school gate. Kuala Krai district police chief, Superintendent Mazlan Mamat, said that the police are taking this matter seriously, especially concerning the safety of children and pupils who are vulnerable to criminal threats. "Following this incident, the relevant police station chief has been directed to increase patrols in the school area, especially during dismissal times," he said in a media statement today. He also advised school principals to allow pupils to wait inside the school premises until their parents or guardians arrive to pick them up. Additionally, school security guards have been asked to conduct stricter monitoring, ensuring that every student is accounted for and only allowed to leave with verified parents or guardians. The incident went viral after a Year Four pupil recounted being approached by an unknown man while waiting for her mother outside school yesterday. The man claimed the child's father had asked him to pick her up. However, when the child asked for her father's name for verification, the man couldn't answer, and the student then ran away. Mazlan urged the public to immediately report any suspicious activities or provide information related to this incident to the police. "All cooperation is greatly appreciated to ensure the safety of the community, especially in the Kuala Krai district," he added. As a preventive measure, the police recommend several safety guidelines for students: always wait inside the school premises until picked up by family or guardians, and avoid walking alone. If approached by an unknown person, immediately scream and run to a safe area or the security guard post. Pupils are also advised to wait at the security guard post if their family has not yet arrived. The public is also encouraged to download the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) PDRM 2.0 application as a quick channel to provide information to the police.
The Star
07-07-2025
- The Star
Bookie nabbed in Tawau online gambling bust
KOTA KINABALU: Working out of a tiny makeshift hut, an online bookie was nabbed during a bust in Tawau on Sunday (July 6). The suspect in his 30s was arrested near the Tanah Merah area along Jalan Apas, following complaints filed via the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) mobile application, Tawau police said in a statement. Also seized were some cash and a mobile phone, among other things. This case will be investigated under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. According to the statement, cooperation from the public to fight crime is very much needed. Gambling could result in financial crisis, breaking of a family institution, and an increase in other crimes such as cheating and violence, it added.
Borneo Post
14-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Community must step up to tackle cyber crime, drug abuse, says Kota Samarahan MP
Rubiah (fourth left) and Mancha (third left) arrive for the townhall session. – Photo from Ukas KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 14): The local community must take a more proactive role in addressing the rising threats of cyber crime and drug abuse among youths, said Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang. She emphasised that close cooperation between communities and law enforcement is vital to maintaining safety and security at the grassroots level. 'Today's crime is not like the past. Crime does not only occur in dark alleys, but also at the fingertips. Many are robbed via phone and social media,' she said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report. Rubiah, who is also Kota Samarahan MP, was speaking at the 'Jom Berambeh Mencegah Jenayah' townhall session organised by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Sarawak Contingent in collaboration with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) and the Kota Samarahan District Office today. She revealed that over 2,000 online fraud cases were reported in Sarawak last year, resulting in losses totalling RM36 million, with pensioners, women, and students among the most common victims. On drug abuse, Rubiah noted that more than 6,000 addicts were recorded in Sarawak in 2023, particularly in suburban areas such as Kota Samarahan. 'Youths are not the cause of the problem. They are part of the solution,' she said, calling on young people to join programmes like Police Cadets, COP Friends, and community volunteer groups. She also voiced support for technology-driven crime prevention tools such as the PDRM's Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) mobile application. On a lighter note, Rubiah shared the origin story of Manchester City Football Club, which was founded in the 1880s as a means to curb youth crime in Manchester. 'If they can start with football, then why can't we in Samarahan form 'Tanjung Bundong City' or 'Belia Samarahan United',' she quipped. Also present were Sarawak Police Commissioner, Dato Mancha Ata, and officials from the government and police force. cyber crimes drugs kota samarahan Rubiah Wang youth
