‘Doraemon’ lands in jail over borrowed tool not returned

 The man pleaded guilty to attacking his uncle with a sickle after a dispute over a scoop that he borrowed some time ago.

The 33-year-old man, who was jailed for two years, had nine previous convictions for various offences. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A 33-year-old man known as Doraemon was jailed for two years after wounding his uncle with a sickle following a dispute over a borrowed scoop.

The sessions court in Kuching heard that the man had borrowed the tool from his relative some time ago and never returned it, the Dayak Daily reported.

The court was told that “Doraemon” arrived at his uncle’s home carrying a sickle at about 2.15pm on Oct 7. After speaking to his uncle, aged 47, the man swung the blade at him, striking him in the right rib area.

He was taken to hospital, where he received nine stitches and later lodged a police report.

Police said the men had known each other since they were young and had lived as neighbours for years.

The accused pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon. He had nine previous convictions, for drug abuse, theft, gambling, mischief and possession of scrap materials.

Investigating officer Logeswara Tharumalay @ Krishnan handled the case. - FMT

Bomb maker injured as fish bomb blows up in kitchen

 Police say the man had been making a homemade explosive device for fishing. Materials suspected of being used to make fish bombs were found at the scene.

Police said the man was unconscious and in critical condition in hospital.

KOTA KINABALU:

A man was seriously injured after a fish bomb he was believed to be making exploded in the kitchen of a house today.

Kota Kinabalu police chief Shahrudin Mat Husain said the 37-year-old sustained serious injuries to his hands and abdomen.

“He was taken to hospital where he was reported to be unconscious and in critical condition.

He said preliminary investigations at the home in Kampung Keliangau, Manggatal showed that the man had been making a homemade explosive device for fishing. An inspection at the scene uncovered several materials suspected of being used to make homemade fish bombs.

He said further investigations are under way to determine the cause of the explosion, the source of the materials used and whether others were involved. - FMT

Ismail should resign as MB after royal rebuke, lawyer says

 Rosli Dahlan says menteri besar Ismail Lasim should resign and repent after having been exposed as a 'treacherous man'.

Senior lawyer Rosli Dahlan alleged that Ismail Lasim lodged a false police report over the royal crisis. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim should resign after he was publicly admonished by the state’s ruler earlier today, a senior lawyer said.

Rosli Dahlan said that the rebuke by the Yang Dipertuan Besar, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, had exposed Ismail as “a treacherous man”. Treachery is a major sin in Islam, Rosli said, and a core trait of hypocrisy or munafiq, a disqualification against holding public office.

“Resign and repent – this is the least that Ismail can do to redeem himself,” Rosli told FMT.

Rosli accused Ismail of having “shamelessly” taken his oath of office as menteri besar before Tuanku Muhriz on Aug 2, only to sign a proclamation made months before to denounce Tuanku Muhriz as having been dethroned.

He said Ismail had also then lodged a police report claiming that he had signed the document under duress and affirmed that proclamation to be invalid. Yet, he subsequently made his executive council issue a statement that the “invalid proclamation” had been effective since April 19.

“His flip-flop should invite penal consequences. He should be charged for stating false information and lodging a false police report. He had openly lied and yet no action is taken against him,” Rosli said, adding that Ismail would have in ancient times been put to death for his treachery.

The confrontation between the ruler and the menteri besar was captured in several videos posted on social media this afternoon. Tuanku Muhriz is shown questioning why Ismail had wanted to meet him.

“Don’t see me, I don’t want to see you. You understand? I am the Yang Dipertuan Besar but you said I am not,” Tuanku Muhriz is heard saying to Ismail, to which Ismail offered the traditional gesture of “angkat sembah” used when greeting royalty.

Tuanku Muhriz’s rebuke of Ismail comes amid a constitutional crisis in the state sparked in April after four persons claiming to be undangs, or traditional chieftains, announced the purported removal of Tuanku Muhriz as the state’s ruler, and proclaimed Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar as the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

Last month, Ismail endorsed a statement issued by his executive council that purportedly affirmed the removal of Tuanku Muhriz as head of state. Tuanku Muhriz subsequently revoked the appointments of the entire state executive council. - FMT

Budget 2027: Better connections could make KL easier to get around

 

WHILE much of the attention on Budget 2027, tabled on Oct 9, has centred on cash assistance and tax changes, its public transport commitments deserve equal attention.

Beyond the investments announced, the real test is whether they can make everyday journeys easier, more reliable and affordable.

Among the measures are Prasarana’s investment of more than RM3.4 billion to overhaul its rail services and the Government’s planned procurement of 42 new trainsets for ETS and KTM Komuter services. Another RM270 mil has been allocated to strengthen stage bus services in major cities.

These measures are intended to improve reliability through better-maintained trains, greater capacity and stronger bus services. For commuters, reliable public transport means getting to work on time without the added cost of alternative transport.

Alongside these improvements, Budget 2027 continues My50 and introduces MyKomuter50. The latter is expected to benefit 40,000 KTM Komuter users, with average savings of up to RM160 a month.

More affordable fares, supported by dependable services, can make public transport a practical choice for more households.

These commitments build on the Transport Ministry’s continued focus under Anthony Loke on improving the network and keeping travel affordable.

Through my community work in Kuala Lumpur, particularly Bukit Bintang, I am conscious that the city must work for the people who keep it running.

Behind its gleaming malls and vibrant dining scene are workers who depend on affordable, reliable transport every day.

Public transport keeps modern cities moving, as seen in Singapore, London and New York, where it is integral to daily life.

Kuala Lumpur should continue moving in that direction, gradually reducing reliance on private vehicles. An efficient network gives people better access to jobs, education and essential services.

But the journey does not end at the station entrance.

Budget 2027 also announced a 22km network of covered pedestrian walkways linking landmarks such as Masjid Negara, Dataran Merdeka and Pasar Seni.

Covered walkways are also planned to connect residential areas with businesses, schools, clinics and public transport stations.

In our climate, a comfortable walk can make a real difference to whether someone chooses public transport. Shelter should be continuous, crossings safe and pavements accessible to wheelchair users, older people and parents with pushchairs.

Better connectivity can also complement another Budget commitment: the restoration of Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, the KTMB headquarters and Menara Dayabumi. Making these places easier to reach could encourage people to explore the surrounding streets, shops and eateries.

This fits the wider direction of Warisan KL, which brings together heritage conservation, improved public spaces and pedestrian connectivity.

To maximise these investments, DBKL and transport operators should coordinate routes with neighbourhood needs and business activities.

Connections to markets, commercial streets and heritage attractions can bring customers to local traders while serving residents’ everyday journeys.

Last-mile access also needs equal attention. Reliable feeder buses, convenient transfers and walking routes that remain usable after dark would help commuters make better use of the network.

Residents and businesses should be consulted to identify missing links before plans are finalised.

Clear maintenance responsibilities and timely information during disruptions would also help maintain public confidence.

Budget 2027 provides a welcome foundation. Its benefits will be felt most clearly when a worker can get from home to work affordably and reliably, with fewer obstacles along the way. 

Ben Fong Kok Seng is the chairperson of the Bukit Bintang Parliamentary Zone Residents’ Representative Council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.

Stroke can strike at any age: Warning signs every parent should know

 

STROKE is often associated with older adults with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. But it can also affect children, from newborns to teenagers, and recognising the warning signs can be challenging.

The Paediatric Protocols for Malaysian Hospitals, developed by the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Paediatric Association, estimates childhood stroke incidence at 2.5 to 13 cases per 100,000 children annually.

Although uncommon, paediatric stroke can be overlooked because its symptoms may resemble those of other childhood illnesses.

Dr Tan Jen Ern, consultant paediatrician and paediatric neurologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV), said Malaysia did not have comprehensive national incidence data, and he encountered about one to two cases annually in his clinical practice.

“Paediatric stroke is rare, but rarity does not mean it cannot happen. The important message is to recognise sudden neurological changes and seek emergency assessment promptly,” he remarked.

Recognising the warning signs

Children may struggle to describe their symptoms, while signs can vary according to age. Older children and teenagers may develop facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking. In babies and toddlers, symptoms may include seizures, feeding difficulties or abnormal muscle tone.

“Unlike adults, children often cannot describe exactly what they are feeling, and many other childhood conditions can look like a stroke. Adding to that, a general lack of awareness among both parents and healthcare professionals can make paediatric stroke easily be overlooked,” Dr Tan said.

He advised parents to note when their child was last known to be well, as this information could help doctors determine appropriate treatment options.

 

“Parents should note the time when the child was last known to be well, because the timing of symptoms can be important in determining emergency treatment options,” he continued.

“Calling an ambulance allows the emergency system to help coordinate the appropriate destination and facilitate transfer to a facility with stroke expertise.”

Prompt assessment is essential, as some hospitals may need to transfer patients to facilities with the necessary imaging capabilities and specialist expertise.

Why children have strokes

Unlike adult stroke, which is often associated with lifestyle-related risk factors, childhood stroke can be linked to heart disease, abnormalities of the brain’s blood vessels, blood disorders, infections, inflammation, trauma and genetic or metabolic conditions.

“In most cases, these children have an underlying condition that has yet to be identified. In my practice, the most common underlying cause is an abnormality of the brain’s blood vessels,” Dr Tan said.

Investigations may include blood tests, screening for clotting disorders where indicated, an electrocardiogram (ECG), an echocardiogram and brain imaging, including magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which maps blood vessels.

Treatment depends on the type and cause of the stroke. Initial care focuses on stabilising the child, controlling seizures and managing complications.

Medication to prevent further clotting may be used in selected cases, while endovascular thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove a clot, may be considered for eligible children at suitably equipped centres.

The Malaysian paediatric protocols estimate that 12% to 20% of childhood arterial ischaemic strokes, caused by blocked arteries, recur. Dr Tan said recurrence risk varied according to the underlying cause, making investigation, treatment and specialist follow-up important.

Recovery goes beyond physical health

The effects of childhood stroke can extend beyond physical disability, affecting memory, attention, communication, learning and emotional wellbeing.

A Malaysian study published in Brain and Development in 2025 examined 76 children who had been followed up for at least two years after stroke.

About 75% had good neurological outcomes, while 72.4% had good functional outcomes. However, their health-related quality-of-life scores remained significantly lower than those of healthy Malaysian children, particularly among those with learning disabilities.

Dr Tan said some difficulties might become apparent only when children entered school and faced greater developmental and academic demands.

Long-term follow-up may therefore include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, neuropsychological assessment and educational support.

Parents should seek immediate medical attention if a child suddenly develops one-sided weakness, facial asymmetry, difficulty speaking or an unexplained seizure.

Early recognition and treatment, followed by appropriate rehabilitation, can help support the child’s development and quality of life.

Public event on brain health

SMCV will host “Brain for Life: The Ultimate Mind & Motion Experience” from Oct 30 to Nov 1, 2026, at the main atrium on the ground floor of Sunway Velocity Mall, Kuala Lumpur. The event runs from 10am to 10pm daily.

Activities include a children’s FAST Heroes stroke-awareness workshop, interactive games, panel discussions on memory loss and early Alzheimer’s disease, complimentary consultations with neuroscience specialists, health assessments and selected screening-package promotions.

SMCV also says visitors can experience Malaysia’s first educational Stroke Mirror, which simulates stroke-related symptoms for awareness purposes and is not a diagnostic tool. ‒  Focus Malaysia