Six police reports lodged over alleged witness tampering

 

Lawyers representing five students charged with insulting the late Zara Qairina Mahathir were seen talking outside the court building. NSTP/ERSIE ANJUMIN

KOTA KINABALU: The parents of five teenagers who are currently on trial for allegedly insulting Zara Qairina Mahathir have lodged police reports over alleged witness tampering by the prosecution team.

In addition to the five, the mother of a student who is a witness in the same trial has also filed a police report, bringing the total number of reports to six.

The trial began on Dec 8 and was due to continue until tomorrow. However, it is learnt that the trial will now resume on Jan 19 next year.

Lawyer Datuk Ram Singh, who represents one of the five students, said the police report was lodged yesterday.

"Statements are recorded, the investigation is ongoing, so I suppose it will continue next year pending investigation. We don't know the outcome yet, but this involves certain characters in the proceedings.

"Of course, this was revealed through certain questions, and as far as we are trying, we are not revealing other things, okay. We are bound by the gag order, but certain important details are important for the press and the public to know the latest developments," he said at a press conference today.

Ram also expressed his disappointment over the matter.

"We are very disappointed. We thought we were going to have a smooth sailing proceeding, but somehow some technical interference happened," he said.

Lawyer Joan Goh added that after what happened and based on the police reports made, they have also received instructions to file contempt proceedings against the relevant parties in due course.

"So, we will be proceeding with that very soon," she said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, who represents the four teenagers, also confirmed the matter and called for a transparent police investigation into the allegations of witness tampering by the prosecution team.

He said the police report filed by the witness's mother stated that the witness had been allegedly pressured to change her statement in court and was also allegedly prevented from speaking the truth.

"At this time, I will not go into details of the proceedings that took place in the Court For Children out of respect for the gag order.

"However, what I can say is that, up to this point, we will give our full cooperation. That's all I can say. The case is still in the hands of the police. We will hand it over to the police," he said.

Azhier added that his clients would also be filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) regarding violations of the their rights, as the right to a fair hearing in the Court For Children appears to have been compromised.

The five teenagers are accused of using insulting words against Zara, 13, on the night of July 15, allegedly causing her distress.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge on Aug 20, and the case is currently scheduled for trial from Dec 8 to 19.

Ram and Goh were together with Prem Elmer Ganasan in representing one of the accused, while Azhier was with Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah, Fareez Salleh and Sylyester Kuan. - NST

THURSDAY JOKES - 295

 

Pre-School Exhibition where KEMAS participated at MAEPS Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia recently

One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee.
Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, “What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?”

The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: “I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I’ll have enough parts for another one!”

 

When you die, what part of the body dies last?

The pupils…they dilate!

 

What comes out of your nose at 150 mph?

Lambogreeny!

 

A Pan Am 727 flight, waiting for start clearance in Munich, overheard the following:

Lufthansa (in German): “Ground, what is our start clearance time?”
Ground (in English): “If you want an answer you must speak in English.”
Lufthansa (in English): “I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany. Why must I speak English?”

Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): “Because you lost the bloody war!”

A business partner of mine in the Philippines went bald many years ago, but still carries around an old comb.

He just can’t part with it!

 

A man lost two buttons from his shirt and put them in his pants pocket. But the pocket had a hole, so the buttons fell into his shoe. Unfortunately, the shoe sole also had a hole, so he lost the buttons.

As pockets with holes, holes without buttons, and shoe soles with holes are useless, the man ripped the remaining buttons out of his shirt and tossed them in the trash along with the soles of his shoes.

A police officer who was observing the man asked him for some identification. The man gave the officer a document that showed he was an ordained minister of the Church.

When the officer began to escort him to a mental institution, the minister protested violently, asking why he was receiving such unjust treatment.

“Look, we both know it’s the best place for you now,” the officer replied. “Anyone claiming to be a preacher who doesn’t save souls or wear holy clothes has probably lost his buttons!”

 

Why didn’t the toilet paper make it past the road?

It got stuck in a crack!

 

While taxiing at London’s Gatwick Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United Airlines 727.

An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming: “US Air 2771, where the hell are you going? I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it’s difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!”

Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically: “God! Now you’ve screwed everything up! It’ll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don’t move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour, and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the humbled crew responded.
Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging with the irate ground controller in her current state of mind. Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high. Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking: “Wasn’t I married to you once?”

As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my

Isn’t it misplaced emotion to boycott 99 Speedmart just because grocery chain recognises UEC?

 

99 SPEEDMART – the fuss-free convenience store chain renowned for its unbeatable value and absolute convenience – has apparently found itself in the line of fire by some rightist individuals for recruiting store managers who possess a Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) qualification.

This came about after an X user voiced concern that the neighbourhood store chain which currently recognises UEC, diploma and degree in its branch manager hiring might gradually shift to “solely recognising UEC” in its entire recruitment process.

The post was chanced upon by a self-proclaimed anti-racist who then accused 99 Speedmart for “creating a systematic racism”.

“UEC graduates can work as pengurus cawangan (branch manager) but STPM graduates can only work as cashier which amount to the same salary as SPM holders,” fumed Qeez (@qeezfiki) who also described himself as a thinker and anti-feminist.

“So, STPM graduates need another two to three years for diploma to hold the same position as UEC graduates.”

Editor’s Note: While UEC is not recognised for entry into Malaysian public universities or civil service, private sector businesses like 99 Speedmart do exercise their own discretion to accept it as equivalent to national or international school-leaving certificates.

It is learnt that current employees, including those in executive positions (such as human resources) are UEC graduates from Chinese independent schools.

Pitted against the national level UEC flare-up with the UEC recognition issue now a hot potato after being grossly politicised, one can understand why rightist groups felt threatened by the UEC recognition.

“They have been doing the same shit using ‘Mandarin speaker’”, no bidet in mall and now pet-friendly mall. How long are we still tolerating (for) this in a Muslim majority country?” berated Qeez.

This was when a commenter mooted a boycott against the convenience store chain along with Burger King Malaysia & Singapore in which 99 Speedmart founder Lee Thiam Wah had reportedly bought the BK franchise (private ownership) in 2015 from Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) for RM74.6 mil.

99 Speedmart founder Lee Thiam Wah (in wheelchair)

“An attempt to put UEC holders at par with university graduate,” he snubbed to which Qeez felt that “another Zionism needs to be boycotted in Malaysia, too, or bring back BMF (Buy Muslim First) … choose either one of it”.

While it is solely the prerogative of rightists to rally likeminded individuals into their fray, one wonders if such boycott call does smack short-sightedness for it overlooked the bigger picture.

Amid the spiralling cost of living, consumers these days are wise enough to draw the distinction between putting food on the table and ‘blindly’ stage a boycott against some unfounded concerns propagated by rightist politicians to derive political mileage.

Above all else, the boycott call is seemingly unlikely to shake nor cripple the convenience store chain which recently opened its 3,000th outlet in Bestari Jaya, Selangor as it continues to expand its nationwide network.

Moreover, its listed entity 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd is equally faring well with its stock price having spiralled 121% from its initial public offering (IPO) price of RM1.65 based on yesterday’s closing price of RM3.65 which gave the company a market capitalisation of RM30.66 bil. –  Focus Malaysia

Sapura Group head honcho Shahril’s “surprised” court battle continues as family moves toward settlements

 

TAN SRI Shahril Shamsuddin, group CEO of Sapura Holdings Sdn Bhd, (SHSB) has expressed surprise that the legal battle with his father over a hibah (gift) claim continues in court even as efforts toward settling wider family disputes appear to be underway.

Yesterday (Dec 17), the Putrajaya Shariah High Court permitted Shahril to file a preliminary objection to his father’s application to revoke a hibah involving 14.85 million Sapura Holdings shares that were previously given to him.

Shahril who had not expected the matter to proceed given indications that other related family disputes were moving toward resolution was nevertheless granted leave to raise preliminary objections through his counsel Rafie Shafie after the court heard submissions on procedural issues surrounding the service of documents.

The hibah in question involves shares originally given to Shahril by his father Tan Sri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir in 1997.

However, Shamsuddin who is now in his 90s filed the application to revoke the gift earlier this year, arguing that current circumstances warrant a withdrawal of the hibah.

This prompted Shahril to challenge the revocation on the basis that notice was only recently provided and that he will contest the application on legal grounds. His objection will now be considered by the Shariah High Court as part of the on-going proceedings.

The dispute has unfolded against the backdrop of broader tensions within the Sapura family, including separate legal actions between Shahril and his brother Datuk Shahriman Shamsuddin over the latter’s bid to wind up SHSB and other related matters.

Prior reports have noted that some elements of wider feud were showing signs of moving toward settlements as recently as late September with expectations that unresolved issues might be settled outside of court.

Despite these settlement discussions, the latest development highlights that legal avenues remain active and contested – a situation that has reportedly surprised Shahril given on-going negotiation efforts.

The Shariah High Court has yet to state a timetable for further hearings on Shahril’s objection or the substantive hibah revocation application. –  Focus Malaysia

Kelantan police refer underage girls in consensual sex cases to state religious dept

 

Datuk Mohd Yusuff Mamat speaking to reporters after the state Police Contingent monthly assembly in Kota Baru.- NSTP/NIK ABDULLAH NIK OMAR

KOTA BARU: Kelantan police have confirmed that underage girls involved in consensual sexual activity cases have been referred to the state Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAHEAIK) for action since October.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat explained that women who are not underage but engage in consensual sexual acts are also referred to the department.

"We held a meeting with JAHEAIK two months ago following a directive from the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, requesting cooperation between the police and JAHEAIK to address this issue," he said.

"Over the past two months, we have referred five underage girls involved in consensual sexual cases to JAHEAIK for appropriate action. As for the males involved, they are prosecuted in court. Since there is no law to take legal action against underage girls, we refer them to JAHEAIK," he added.

Yusoff said this at a press conference after attending the state Police Contingent monthly assembly at its headquarters today.

He further explained that this approach is aimed at tackling cases of rape and consensual sexual offences.

"Currently, the trend of rape cases has decreased. I am not certain whether this is because families or victims are reluctant to lodge police reports. In the most recent case, it was the hospital that filed a report because the underage girl involved became pregnant," he said. - NST

Shafie's contempt hearing over Zara inquest set for Feb 3; Mona Din fined RM300

 

The Sessions Court has set Feb 3 to hear former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s case over alleged contempt of court linked to remarks about the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir. - NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

KOTA KINABALU: The Sessions Court has set Feb 3 to hear former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal's case over alleged contempt of court linked to remarks about the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan ordered the prosecution to file its affidavit by Dec 26, the defence to reply by Jan 9, 2026, and submissions from both parties by Jan 19, 2026.

Mohd Shafie was not present in court, and his presence was dispensed with.

Lawyer Chen Ket Chuin KC, along with counsels Jakariya Ab Jalil and Batholomew Jingulam representing Shafie, told the court they had filed an application to strike out the committal proceedings on Dec 15.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalan confirmed this.

Meanwhile, Che Muna Din, popularly known as Mona Din, pleaded guilty to the same offence and was fined RM300, or 14 days' imprisonment in default. She was was represented by lawyer Jul Hamri Jumhani. - NST

MORE TO COME

Flash floods hit Pulau Tioman, 38 evacuated

 

Policemen wade through floodwaters in Kampung Tekek, Rompin, to check on affected villagers today. - Pic courtesy of Rompin police

ROMPIN: Flash floods struck the popular tourist island of Pulau Tioman here today, forcing 38 villagers from Kampung Tekek to be evacuated.

Rompin police, in a Facebook posting, said the victims from 13 families living in the People's Housing Project units were moved to the SK Tekek relief centre on the island after their homes were inundated.

"Policemen from the Tioman station helped to evacuate the victims after they became trapped by rising floodwaters.

"Continuous heavy rain caused water levels in the settlement to rise suddenly, prompting authorities to instruct villagers to evacuate immediately," read the statement.

Meanwhile, former Kampung Tekek village headman Zulkarnain A. Hamid, 69, said most parts of the settlement were submerged, with floodwaters reaching heights of up to 0.5 metres.

"Heavy rain over the past three days caused runoff from nearby hills to flow into the village, a situation worsened by the high tide early this morning.

"The flood victims were moved to the relief centre today. Most of the roads leading into the village are covered with water," he said when contacted.

Zulkarnain described this year's Northeast Monsoon weather as unusual, warning that further heavy downpours could result in more areas on the island being flooded.

Meanwhile, Kuantan has gone six days without any sunshine as the number of flood victims in the state capital continues to surge, with 7,224 people from 2,403 families affected, making it the worst-hit district in Pahang.

As of 10am, the East Coast state recorded a total of 8,903 flood victims across five affected districts.

The other flood-hit districts include Maran, with 776 victims; Rompin, with 337; Pekan, with 550; and Jerantut, the latest district to be affected, where 16 people have sought shelter at three relief centres. - NST