Russian passenger strips, disrupts AirAsia flight from Vietnam to Bangkok [WATCH]

 

The disruptive passenger was later taken into custody and questioned over allegations including endangering an aircraft, resisting crew instructions, and causing a public disturbance. - Screengrab via social media

KUALA LUMPUR: A viral video has captured chaotic scenes aboard an AirAsia flight from Vietnam to Thailand after a passenger stripped down to his underwear and caused a disturbance shortly before landing in Bangkok.

Footage recorded by passengers and now widely circulating on social media showed the man standing in the aisle and shouting in what appeared to be Russian, as crew members and travellers looked on.

He was later seen pushing past other passengers through the open aircraft doors onto the mobile passenger stairs, where he fell while descending and appeared to injure his leg.

He then attempted to evade authorities by moving towards ground vehicles on the tarmac.

According to the Straits Times, the incident reportedly occurred on Jan 29 on an Airbus A320 travelling from Cam Ranh to Bangkok.

Passenger Piaporn Chamsrio said the disruption began about 15 minutes before landing, when the man became agitated and repeatedly walked up and down the aisle.

"I have flown hundreds, if not thousands, of times and have never encountered anything like this," she said.

The man allegedly removed his clothes until he was left in his underwear and demanded to be allowed off the aircraft, despite flight attendants instructing him to return to his seat.

Piaporn, who was seated a few rows away, said he smelled strongly of alcohol and behaved erratically.

The disruptive passenger was later taken into custody and questioned over allegations including endangering an aircraft, resisting crew instructions, and causing a public disturbance.

"I have sympathy for everyone on the plane except this man," Piaporn said. - NST

Ti pushes for rational debate on KL mayoral elections

The former MCA vice-president says it is unfair to suggest that cartels and gangs will have undue influence if there were mayoral elections.

Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said mature societies must be willing to study reforms carefully, debate them rationally, and implement protective mechanisms where necessary. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has dismissed Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi’s claim that mayoral elections in Kuala Lumpur would be influenced by the city’s criminal underworld.

Ti said in a statement that such speculation should not dominate public discourse, adding that mature societies must be willing to study reforms carefully, debate them rationally, and implement protective mechanisms where necessary.

“Kuala Lumpur is not a fictional city plagued by lawlessness, nor is Malaysia a society incapable of maintaining order and governance,” said the former deputy unity minister.

“To suggest that electing a mayor would automatically invite chaos or criminal domination underestimates both our institutions and the maturity of Malaysian society.”

Ti said while concerns raised by some politicians might stem from legitimate anxieties, such arguments should not be used to justify resisting democratic progress.

He said challenges in implementing mayoral elections should be addressed through strong institutional safeguards, transparent legal frameworks, and proactive regulatory measures – not by retreating from reform out of fear.

Puad yesterday said he had security concerns if Kuala Lumpur were to hold mayoral elections and stressed that Umno needed to oppose the proposal, similar to how it thwarted plans to introduce the Urban Renewal Bill and calls to restore local council elections.

Stating that Kuala Lumpur hosts numerous entertainment venues, massage parlours, and other “morally questionable” activities, Puad questioned whether criminals would have undue influence on the election.

“Not only will this election be influenced by political parties and racial sentiments, but it also holds the potential to be manipulated by cartels and gangs,” he said.

“Imagine if gangs use their funds and networks to back certain candidates. The mayor’s office would no longer be independent.”

He called on his party to set up a special secretariat to present a counter-response to the proposal for a mayoral election in the capital.

Federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh yesterday said her office was conducting a feasibility study on holding a mayoral election for Kuala Lumpur.

Yeoh noted that the current administrative set-up is already overcomplicated, with the capital simultaneously overseen by a mayor, MPs, and advisers from Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

In an apparent jab at critics, she later asked why some quarters “feared” research, saying that precise data and reliable facts were critical in making the right decision. - FMT

MIPP condemns assemblies exploiting religious sentiment

Its information chief Justin Prabakaran says it is inappropriate and misleading to label houses of worship as 'illegal'.

MIPP information chief Justin Prabakaran called on all parties to stop making statements, spreading narratives, or organising gatherings that labelled houses of worship as ‘illegal’. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has condemned assemblies, statements, and movements that exploit religious sentiment in ways that could threaten national harmony, peace, and stability.

In a statement, MIPP information chief Justin Prabakaran said labelling houses of worship as “illegal” was irresponsible, especially as it touched on sensitive issues involving race, religion and royalty.

Prabakaran, who is also the party’s youth chief, pointed out that many of the houses of worship currently being questioned were built long before the enforcement of existing laws and regulations.

“As such, labelling these houses of worship as ‘illegal’ is inappropriate, inaccurate, and misleading,” he said.

“This matter should be addressed through proper legal channels, guided by principles of justice and good governance, rather than through religious rhetoric or political sentiment.”

He also called on all parties to immediately stop making statements, spreading narratives, or organising gatherings that label houses of worship as “illegal”.

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that a coalition of NGOs planned to hold a rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to pressure authorities to take action against “illegal” houses of worship.

Dang Wangi district police chief Sazalee Adam confirmed that the organisers had notified the police about the event, which reportedly involved around 141 NGOs. - FMT

Sabah’s 40% revenue talks must not spark tensions, says Mustapha

The Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled on Oct 17 last year that Sabah is entitled to 40% of the net federal revenue derived from the state.

Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud said a special committee had been formed to examine federal agencies’ tax data in Sabah.

PETALING JAYA:

 Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud has called on ethnic group leaders to help maintain harmony during the ongoing negotiations over the implementation of Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said while progress had been made during discussions between the state government and the finance ministry, challenges during the negotiations could raise public concern, according to The Borneo Post.

“I hope the Sabah United Association of Ethnic Bumiputera Native Council (Magebs) and the leaders of various ethnic groups can cooperate to help their members understand that while we fight for our rights, we also have a responsibility to ensure that the federation and the state remain strong and are in harmony,” he said during a Magebs meeting in Kota Kinabalu today.

“We do not want tensions to escalate due to these issues, causing friction between the federal and the state governments, or among NGOs within the state.”

He urged Magebs and ethnic group leaders to play their roles in maintaining harmony and supporting the country’s continued development, adding that he was personally monitoring the negotiations to ensure the court-mandated timeline was met.

The Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled on Oct 17 last year that Sabah was entitled to 40% of the net federal revenue derived from the state.

It directed the federal government to conduct a review with Sabah to determine the state’s 40% entitlement for each financial year from 1974 to 2021.

The court also ordered that the review must commence within 90 days and be completed within 180 days.

Mustapha said a special committee had been formed to examine federal agencies’ tax data in Sabah following the High Court’s ruling. - FMT

11 enforcement officers in Bintulu remanded over RM239,000 in alleged bribes

A source says the suspects allegedly solicited and received bribes in exchange for protecting inmates and assisting in their activities.

Eleven suspects, aged in their 20s to 40s, were arrested yesterday after arriving at the MACC’s Bintulu office to give their statements.

PETALING JAYA:

 Eleven enforcement officers have been remanded by the Sarawak chapter of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly soliciting and receiving bribes totalling RM239,000.

The bribes were said to have been given in exchange for providing protection, refraining from intimidation, and assisting in the activities of several inmates, The Borneo Post reported.

Magistrate Kasyfurrahman Abang Ahmad granted a four-day remand order until Feb 6 for six suspects, while four others were remanded for five days until Feb 7.

Another suspect was remanded for three days until Feb 5 following an application by MACC at the Bintulu magistrates’ court.

Sources said the suspects, aged in their 20s to 40s, were arrested between 11.50am and 4pm yesterday when they turned up at the MACC’s Bintulu office to give their statements.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged offences took place between 2020 and 2025, involving bribes solicited from inmates’ family members.

“The suspects are believed to have received sums ranging from RM2,400 to RM45,000 through bank transfers into accounts belonging to their wives and intermediaries,” a source said.

Sarawak MACC director Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh confirmed the arrests, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009. - FMT

Kelantan seizes RM8,000 deposit after Makar Fest XL violates guidelines

 

State exco Hilmi Abdullah says the organisers of the event may also face a fine of up to RM30,000 and possible blacklisting.

Screenshots from a viral video showing attendees dancing and jumping during a stage performance at Makar Fest XL in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on Saturday.

PETALING JAYA:

 The Kelantan government has seized a RM8,000 security deposit from the organiser of Makar Fest XL for violating licence conditions and state entertainment guidelines during the event in Kota Bharu last Saturday.

State local government, housing, health and environment executive councillor Hilmi Abdullah said the organiser would also face a penalty of up to RM30,000 and possible blacklisting if it failed to pay the compound.

This comes after a 40-second video made the rounds online showing a group of attendees dancing and jumping during a stage performance at the event, which was held at a shopping mall car park in Kota Bharu.

According to Hilmi, the food and sales festival, held from Jan 29 to Jan 31, had received entertainment approval from the Kota Bharu municipal council under the Kelantan Entertainment and Entertainment Venues Control Enactment 2025.

He said the violations were detected through enforcement monitoring, official reports, and a video that went viral on social media.

“Throughout the event, all invited artistes complied with the enactment and guidelines. However, violations occurred during the closing concert at around 10.30pm involving a performance by the band Masdo,” he said in a statement.

Hilmi said enforcement officers removed several spectators who were provoking others and breaching the guidelines, but the situation could not be fully brought under control, and the offences continued.

He also said the organiser was found to have been negligent for failing to stop the performance to regain control of the crowd, and for allowing uncontrolled mixing of men and women without adequate security, as required under the licence conditions.

“The licensing officer found that the organiser committed offences under Section 13(1) of the Kelantan Entertainment and Entertainment Venues Control Enactment 2025 and failed to comply with licence conditions,” he said.

Hilmi added that while the state government understood the public’s need for entertainment and supported food festivals that generated income for small traders and promoted Kelantan as a tourism destination under the “Food, Family, Festival” theme, compliance with rules remained non-negotiable.

“Any future events must comply with the rules and guidelines that have been set,” he said. - FMT