One dead after violent dispute, police arrest 4 men

 

A 57-year-old man died while two of his neighbours sustained stab wounds following a quarrel that escalated into violence at a house in Felda Jengka 2 earlier today.

MARAN: A 57-year-old man died while two of his neighbours sustained stab wounds following a quarrel that escalated into violence at a house in Felda Jengka 2 earlier today.

The man, believed to be the prime suspect who attacked the two victims - a 52-year-old woman and a 16-year-old teenager - was later found dead with his hands and legs tied during the 10.15am incident.

The woman, who suffered a 3cm-deep stab wound to her abdomen and bruises on her chin, is currently being treated in the emergency ward of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh. Her nephew sustained a stab wound to his right thigh.

Maran police chief, Superintendent Wong Kim Wai, said the Sungai Jerik police station was alerted by a neighbour who reported a fight occurring inside one of the houses in the settlement.

"The suspect became enraged and acted aggressively, injuring the woman and her nephew with a knife. When police arrived at the scene, they found the suspect unconscious on the ground, with his hands and legs reportedly tied by local residents.

"The man, who had visible bruises, had his hands bound with cloth. A medical assistant confirmed his death," he said in a statement today.

Wong added that police recovered the knife believed to have been used by the suspect during the attack.

"The female victim remains hospitalised, while the teenager has been discharged. The suspect's body has been sent to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan for a post-mortem examination.

"Police have arrested four men at the scene to assist in investigations into the suspect's death, and they will be remanded tomorrow," he said.

He also said that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect and his victims were neighbours, and the motive behind the attack is still under investigation.

Wong urged the public not to speculate or circulate images related to the incident, as doing so could compromise police investigations. - NST

Citing Putra Heights blast Perai case, Kon Yeow warns against squatting near gas pipelines

 

General view of the aftermath in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru after the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Puchong on April 3, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

NIBONG TEBAL, April 6 — The Penang government will step up enforcement and take swift action against encroachment activities near its natural gas power plants, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

He said this is because the state will not compromise on actions that could endanger public safety.

Chow said two years ago, Penang faced a similar situation when an encroachment took place near a natural gas power plant in Perai, where a place of worship was illegally constructed in the area.

“To recall, two years ago we had to deal with an encroachment case involving the construction of a place of worship on a Petronas gas pipeline.

“We took strict enforcement action at the time because this is a safety issue with zero tolerance, as clearly demonstrated by the serious impact of the Putra Heights (gas pipeline) fire incident.

“In line with that, I hope enforcement against any future encroachments will be further strengthened,” he told reporters after attending the Jawi state constituency Aidilfitri Open House event at the Bagan Buaya Changkat Sepak Takraw Court here today.

Currently, Penang has two natural gas power plants located in Perai and Gelugor. — Bernama

Era FM trio back on air tomorrow after kavadi controversy

 

Era FM hosts Radin Amir Affendi Ahmad Aruani, Azad Jasmin, and Nabil Ahmad were suspended after they posted a video mocking the Thaipusam kavadi ritual. (Instagram pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Era FM morning show hosts Radin Amir Affendi Ahmad Aruani, Azad Jasmin, and Nabil Ahmad will be back on the air tomorrow a month after they stirred controversy for mocking the Thaipusam kavadi ritual.

The radio station said the trio will resume their early morning segment at 6am.

They had been suspended along with two other staff members over the TikTok video, which was later removed from the station’s social media platforms.

The video showed the DJs mimicking the kavadi dance while chanting “Vel Vel” and laughing. They subsequently apologised and acknowledged that their actions were insensitive, especially towards the Hindu community.

Era FM’s owner, Maestra Broadcast Sdn Bhd, was penalised with a RM250,000 compound by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, which regulates internet usage.

At least 73 police reports were lodged over the incident but the three hosts will not face further action. Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil had said the issue was considered resolved after the fine imposed on Maestra Broadcast, a subsidiary of the Astro media group. - FMT

Cops probe after highway tailgater causes car to overturn

 

Police have appealed for witnesses of an accident on Saturday night on the North-South highway between Ayer Keroh and Senawang. (X pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Police are investigating an accident on the North-South highway in which a car was seen in a viral video to overturn after being intentionally cut off by another vehicle.

Acting Rembau police chief Azmi Aki said a dashcam recording had been widely shared after the accident at 10.35pm last night on the northbound lane between Ayer Keroh, Melaka, and Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.

It showed a Renault Kangoo in the right lane being tailed closely by a dark-coloured multipurpose vehicle, before the Renault moved into the middle lane.

Azmi said the other vehicle then veered towards the middle lane, cutting off the Renault, which skidded and turned on its side before coming to a rest on the left side of the road.

The rear passenger, aged 22, was injured, but the driver, a 20-year-old woman, and an 18-year-old passenger were unhurt.

Azmi called for witnesses to come forward to assist in the investigation.

Congestion builds up on highways leading to Klang Valley

 

Traffic on major highways has built up as city folks return after celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri at their respective hometowns. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Traffic flow is reported to be congested on several major highways leading to the Klang Valley as of 9pm tonight, as city folks return home after celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri at their respective hometowns.

A spokesperson for the Malaysian Highway Authority said traffic on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak highway was congested from Bentong to Lentang toll plaza, but traffic flow resumed smoothly up to the Gombak rest area.

Southbound traffic on the E1 (North-South highway) was moving slowly around Sungai Petani, Sungai Dua to Perai, and Tanjung Malim to Rawang. Congestion was also reported at several locations on the E2, including Pedas Linggi to Seremban and Bandar Ainsdale to Nilai Utara.

However, traffic on the East Coast expressway in both directions was moving smoothly. - FMT

Photo op turns tragic as teen slips and drowns at waterfall

 

The boy’s body was found at a depth of about 3m, the Pahang fire and rescue department said. (Fire and rescue department pic)

KUANTAN: 

A teenage boy drowned after losing his footing while having his photograph taken at the Lata Jarum waterfall in Ulu Dong, Raub, near here today.

Shahrul Ikwan Adam Hareez Islami, 18, who was from a nearby village, had gone with two friends to picnic at the waterfall, said Pahang fire and rescue department spokesman Salahuddin Isa.

“He stayed out of the water. However, Shahrul slipped and fell while his friend was trying to take a photograph of him with the scenery in the background,” he said.

His body was recovered by rescuers and members of the public at 5.42pm.

Salahuddin said special equipment was required to locate the victim, who was found at an estimated depth of 3m (10ft) near where he had slipped. Rescuers initially struggled to bring the victim up due to the strong currents. - FMT

If you can’t give RM1,000, give RM500, minister urges Nadma

 

Many parts of Sarawak suffered from severe floods in February, including this village in Kota Samarahan, about 30km from Kuching. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The national disaster management agency (Nadma) has been urged to review the conditions for flood victims to receive the RM1,000 in disaster aid.

Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi said the financial aid was distributed only to flood victims who agreed to be relocated to a government relief centre.

Nanta came to the defence of his constituents, saying in a Facebook post that those who did not evacuate had their reasons for doing so.

Alexander Nanta Linggi.

“It’s not that they did not want to leave, but there was no transport to relocate them. I was also made to understand that some were afraid of leaving their belongings (as they might get stolen),” he said.

Nanta, who is federal works minister, suggested that Nadma provide half the amount of aid to those affected. “If the victims are ineligible for the RM1,000, give RM500 as it would already be very helpful in reducing their burden,” he said.

Yesterday, Sarawak deputy premier Douglas Uggah Embas said about 5,600 households were affected by the floods in February while the RM1,000 aid has been channelled to around 3,600 families.

Uggah said the authorities were confirming the details of families who opted not to relocate to relief centres and their reasons for doing so. He said they would get the financial aid “if their reasons are reasonable”. - FMT

Still room for talks with US on 24% tariff, says Bank Negara

 

Bank Negara governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour agreed that US tariff exemption for Malaysian semiconductor exports was a relief (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

Malaysia still has room to negotiate with the US regarding the imposition of a 24% tariff on Malaysian goods, says Bank Negara Malaysia governor, Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

He said the central bank is awaiting further details from the US about the tariff; the full impact could only be assessed once negotiations are completed and the details are finalised.

“There is still room for negotiation, and we do not know yet the full extent, timing, or magnitude of the tariff, nor the scope and which products will be affected by the tariff.

“We need to closely examine the impact on inflation. At present, our inflation forecast remains between 2% and 3.5%,” he told Bernama during preparation for a meeting of Asean finance ministers and central bank governors.

When asked if the exemption of the semiconductor industry from the US tariffs was a relief for Malaysia, Rasheed simply replied, “Yes.”

US president Donald Trump announced on April 3 that the US would impose a basic 10% tariff on all countries and higher duties involving several countries, including a 24% tariff on Malaysia.

US customs began collecting the 10% across-the-board tariff on Saturday, with the higher levies on some countries, including Malaysia, to be imposed on April 9. - FMT

Speed kills: The tragic pre-Raya Menora Tunnel accident rams home the point

 

NEWS and a dash cam video of an accident that claimed the lives of a two-year-old child and a heavily pregnant mother has gone viral, eliciting rage, sadness and disbelief in equal measures.

The accident which occurred at KM264 of the North-South Expressway (southbound) near the Menora Tunnel on March 30 has outraged citizens as the video footage shows a Mitsubishi Expander running over the victim who was sprawled on the road.

Apparently, the victims were travelling in a Perodua Bezza that had skidded on the road resulting in the driver, the pregnant woman’s husband, losing control and landing in a ditch.

But as the shocking video shows, a speeding Mitsubishi Xpander did not slow down and just ran over the body of the pregnant woman.

One of the many posts on the incident was by @btsstuffs who queried why other vehicles ahead of the Xpander were able to brake in time? The poster had some choice words for the driver whom he described as “having zero empathy”.

Many lamented that this accident was a consequence of local mentality whereby the 110km/h speed limit on highways is deemed to be too slow. As pointed out, there is a risk that any faster, one is unable to brake in time for any emergency.

Many vented their fury as they noted the Xpander did not slow down at the scene of the accident with some hoping the long arm of the law hauls the driver up for this appalling incident.

Some expressed disgust that the driver of the Xpander chose to run over the victim than risk damaging his/her vehicle from rear-ending the halted Toyota Hilux.

One netizen counselled that if he were in a similar scenario, he could – if it was safe to do so – block the road off to avoid any victims on the road from getting run over.

One pointed out the oil slick on the road which played a role, suggesting this was a dirty tactic employed by tow truck operators to cause an accident where they can then pick up the pieces.

Another suggested that all tow trucks be under the purview of the relevant authorities or the highway concessionaire.

It is a harrowing incident which has led to loss of life. While a lot of the details are open to conjecture, one thing is certain – speeding kills.

Police are appealing for witnesses and those with relevant dash cam footage to come forward to aid investigations.

In the meantime, FocusM urges everyone to be vigilant and drive safe. –  Focus Malaysia