Assemblyman steps in to assist Jerantut family who stopped Sultan's motorcade

 

Pahang appointed assemblyman Haris Salleh Hamzah.-NSTP FILE PIC

JERANTUT: An appointed assemblyman has stepped in to assist Muhammad Ramadhan Abdul Hamid whose electricity connection request for his home in Kampung Kuala Sat, Ulu Tembeling, here recently drew nationwide attention.

Haris Salleh Hamzah said that with the electricity issue nearing resolution, the next step is to review the status of Ramadhan's house, which allegedly sits on government land.

"I was told that he submitted an application to the Jerantut district and land office in 2015. The matter is currently under the Land and Mines Office, so I need to obtain the latest updates.

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"There are also concerns that Ramadhan may need to spend money to complete the wiring works at his house. We will try to assist," he said today.

Ramadhan went viral after a video showed him holding a placard to stop the Sultan of Pahang's motorcade in the traditional village on May 17, as he appealed for assistance with electricity access.

The footage drew nationwide attention.

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who was travelling in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, stopped to listen and assist Ramadhan. Tenaga Nasional Bhd has since begun installing electricity poles to supply power to the area.

Meanwhile, Haris Salleh said that on humanitarian grounds, he is taking responsibility to assist Ramadhan to ensure electricity is eventually supplied to the family's home.

"I may not be the Tahan assemblyman in charge of the constituency, but I want the family to have a normal life.

"It is important to adhere to the Sultan's decree to help the people, and the Pahang government will assist the family. We will follow the necessary steps," he said. - NST

Teacher investigated over alleged sexual acts with 12-year-old pupil

-FILE PIC

JOHOR BARU: Police are investigating allegations involving a primary school teacher in Masai accused of engaging in sexual acts with a Year Six pupil, following claims that he had allegedly returned to teaching duties despite multiple reports lodged over the case.

The allegations, which surfaced widely on social media, claimed that reports had been lodged with police, education authorities and the Public Complaints Bureau (Sispaa) since last year.

The postings alleged that the victim, a 12-year-old pupil, had admitted to school authorities that she was involved in a sexual relationship with a male teacher at the school.

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The teacher, said to be in his late 20s, was allegedly temporarily reassigned before later returning to active teaching duties.

The claims triggered public concern, particularly among parents, after allegations surfaced that the teacher continued teaching at a primary school in Pasir Gudang.

The New Straits Times has contacted police, the Johor education authorities and several child protection non-governmental organisations for comment.

A police statement is expected to be released soon.

The NST also learnt that a suspect linked to the case has been arrested to facilitate investigations.

As of press time, police are yet to confirm details of the investigation, including the nature of the alleged offences or possible charges.

The allegations have sparked widespread debate online, with many calling for a transparent investigation and immediate safeguards to protect pupils pending the outcome of the probe.

Under Malaysian law, the identity of minors linked to sexual offence investigations is protected, and media organisations are prohibited from revealing details that could lead to identification of the child involved.

This is a developing story.

The NST will provide updates as further details are confirmed by authorities. - NST

YKM salur bantuan khas Kaamatan, Gawai

 Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata bantuan RM300 akan dikreditkan terus ke akaun penerima mulai esok.

Pengerusi Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia Ismail Sabri Yaakob menyantuni penerima bantuan menyambut Pesta Kaamatan tahun lalu.

PETALING JAYA:

Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM) menyalurkan bantuan khas sempena sambutan Pesta Kaamatan dan Hari Gawai kepada 19 penerima.

Pengerusi Ismail Sabri Yaakob, berkata bantuan khas RM300 itu akan dikreditkan terus ke akaun penerima bermula esok.

“YKM kekal komited memberi bantuan kepada seluruh penerima bantuan yang akan menyambut perayaan terbesar atau terpenting di negara ini, termasuk sambutan Pesta Kaamatan dan Hari Gawai, mencerminkan semangat Keluarga Malaysia.

“Saya berharap bantuan ini akan dapat meringankan beban setiap keluarga kerana kita mahu setiap penerima YKM dapat menyambutnya dengan kegembiraan bersama seluruh ahli keluarga,” katanya dalam kenyataan.

Menurutnya, penerima bantuan terdiri daripada anak-anak YKM dalam kalangan masyarakat Kadazan Dusun, Murut dan Rungus di Sabah serta Dayak di Sarawak.

Bekas perdana menteri berkenaan turut menyeru komuniti setempat terutama di kawasan pedalaman membantu menyampaikan maklumat berkaitan bantuan tersebut kepada golongan terkesan akibat Covid-19.

Beliau berkata, mereka memerlukan maklumat lanjut boleh menghubungi YKM di talian 03-22027493. - FMT

2026 is about survival, Amirudin tells businesses

 The Selangor menteri besar says industries must focus on resilience and survival as global conflict threatens supply chains and economic stability.

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said businesses must prepare for the long haul as the Middle East crisis is unlikely to end soon. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari says businesses and industries in the state must focus on resilience and collective survival amid growing global economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

He said, unlike last year where the focus was on “success and expansion”, businesses must now prepare for the long haul as the crisis is unlikely to end soon.

“We have to at least prepare for the next 100 days or possibly longer,” he said at the Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) annual dinner here.

Amirudin noted that industries were increasingly worried the disruption would affect not only fuel supply but also products linked to crude oil and refining processes.

He said various sectors, ranging from food and beverages to automotive parts, chemicals, hospitality, and personal care, would be affected by supply chain disruptions.

However, his administration will continue to strengthen economic resilience through measures such as reducing approval times for industries, improving digitalisation, and developing alternative energy sources.

At the event, Amirudin also announced an increase in the Selangor government’s grant to FMM from RM200,000 to RM500,000 this year.

“Together, I believe, we will bounce back in Selangor.” - FMT

Child-parent conflict not direct factor in Zara’s death, says psychiatrist

 Dr Chua Sze Hung says he believes the teenager’s death was directly influenced by the stressful interrogation and isolation she experienced that night.

Zara Qairina Mahathir died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at around 4am.

PETALING JAYA:

Child-parent conflict was not a direct factor in the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir, the Kota Kinabalu coroner’s court heard today.

Dr Chua Sze Hung, 43, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at Mesra Psychiatric Hospital in Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu, said the conflict was instead a predisposing or indirect factor in his psychiatric evaluation of the teenager’s death.

“The direct factor here, in my opinion, is the stressful interrogation and isolation that morning or night,” Bernama reported him as saying.

The 67th witness said this in response to questions from the conducting officer, deputy public prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus, before coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

Chua said verbal interactions are not an accurate indicator, as adolescents tend to mask their distress to conform, frequently presenting a false self-image.

“In contrast, the diary is a true and genuine self-representation, free from social, psychological and interpersonal pressures and judgement. It is the raw, private, unfiltered self,” he said.

During cross-examination by Rizwandean M Borhan, counsel for Zara’s mother Noraidah Lamat, Chua agreed that today was his first time hearing 35 audio conversations recorded between Zara and Noraidah from March 6 to July 10 last year.

When Rizwandean asked if the audio clips were valuable primary data to assess their relationship, the expert maintained that verbal interactions are less material compared to the victim’s diary.

He said the verbal communications could have been influenced by the projection of a false self and various psychological defence mechanisms, although he acknowledged there could be moments of genuine affection and that child-parent conflicts are normally episodic.

Rizwandean also questioned whether Chua and his team had declined to view videos, photographs and audio offered by the mother and her lawyer during an interview session.

Chua clarified that they did not decline the materials, but decided that the available information was already sufficient, particularly considering the presence of the diaries, which were more representative.

Zara died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, 2025, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at around 4am.

On Aug 8, 2025, the Attorney-General’s Chambers issued an order to exhume the girl’s body for a post-mortem, followed by an order for an inquest on Aug 13 after a review of the police investigation report.

The inquest continues tomorrow. - FMT

Bukit Jalil LRT operating hours extended for Malaysia Cup final

 This is to accommodate spectators attending the match between Johor Darul Ta’zim and Kuching City FC this Saturday.

Rapid Rail said the operating hours for both the Ampang/Sri Petaling and Putrajaya lines would be extended to facilitate passenger movement after the conclusion of the match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

PETALING JAYA:

Operating hours for the Bukit Jalil LRT station will be extended until 12.30am on Sunday to accommodate spectators attending the Malaysia Cup final between Johor Darul Ta’zim and Kuching City FC this Saturday.

Rapid Rail said the operating hours for both the Ampang/Sri Petaling and Putrajaya lines would also be extended to facilitate passenger movement after the conclusion of the match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Only the Sungai Besi station will remain open for passengers transferring from the Ampang/Sri Petaling to Putrajaya lines.

“Other stations will close as usual, but passengers can still exit at any station along those lines to continue their journey home,” Bernama reported the company as saying.

Rapid Rail also advised spectators to plan their journeys in advance and encouraged them to use the Park N’ Ride facilities at selected stations along the Ampang/Sri Petaling and Putrajaya lines.

It urged passengers to use Touch ‘n Go cards and other contactless payment methods to avoid congestion, and to purchase their return tokens in advance.

“Rapid KL will deploy additional staff at strategic locations to assist passengers throughout the extended operation period,” it said.

Further information on the Rapid KL service schedule and Park N’ Ride facilities is available at myrapid.com.my. - FMT