TMR

MALAYSIA has called on Israel’s partners, especially those with influence and leverage, to apply maximum pressure to halt further aggression in the wake of Israeli military strikes on Iran.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a Facebook post today, strongly condemned the attack, including targeted strikes that have killed senior Iranian leaders, describing it as a grave and reckless act that risks further destabilising the fragile region.

“Its clear aim is to sabotage the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. It also comes amid renewed scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and mounting political pressure on (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The international community must not enable actions that sabotage diplomacy and endanger global peace,” said Anwar.

Media reports said that the Israeli regime has carried out strikes in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other cities in Iran.

According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the strikes took place overnight on Friday, as unconfirmed images and footage began to appear on social media showing Tehran’s skyline, with plumes of smoke seen rising in several locations. — BERNAMA

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THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized another RM16 million worth of luxury items linked to the misuse of sukuk funds for the construction of a highway in Klang Valley believed to be owned by a concession holder with the title of Tan Sri yesterday.

The MACC said the seizure at the individual’s residence in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Cheras included 84 luxury bags worth about RM3 million, 11 branded watches (about RM1 million), gold bars, coins and statues (about RM3 million), diamonds and jewellery (about RM4 million).

“A luxury casino equipment set estimated to be worth RM150,000 was also seized,” the commission said in a statement, adding that a secret vault that stored weapons and ammunition was discovered but the weapons were not seized as they were registered under the security company the individual owned.

An Anti Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) conducted the search of the individual’s residence as he was suspected to be keeping weapons in the vault.

“The MACC received information that there was a vault storing valuables, including weapons, linked to the case in his residence.

“The presence of the ACTS team was to ensure safety and to escort officers and seized items back to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya,” the commission added.

Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the search and seizure and did not deny the possibility that there would be other seizures linked to the case.

He said that the process of taking the individual’s statement had to be postponed to a later date due to health factors.

The MACC had previously seized a total of RM143 million worth of valuables linked to the case. — BERNAMA

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COUNSEL for Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid informed the High Court today that a lower court’s refusal to refer eight questions of law had effectively denied her a fundamental right, leaving critical legal issues central to the case unresolved.

Na’imah filed the application in the Sessions Court in February last year to refer the legal questions to the High Court.

Her counsel, Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar, submitted that the Sessions Court had misconstrued the law governing applications to refer constitutional questions under Section 30 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, thereby denying the applicant clarity on her legal position and resulting in a miscarriage of justice.

“This oversight calls for rectification in order to uphold the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that the applicant’s rights are fully respected,” said Gurdial.

He made the submission during the hearing of Na’imah’s application to review the Sessions Court’s decision to dismiss her request for a referral of legal questions in the undeclared assets case, heard before Judge K. Muniandy today.

Gurdial contended that Na’imah was called to assist in the investigation against her late husband, Tun Daim Zainuddin, strictly in her capacity as a witness, and at all material times, she was never regarded as a co-suspect.

“Na’imah complied with the section 36(1)(b) notice requiring her to disclose information in respect of assets to the best of her ability and she had made a statement on oath in this respect.

“The MACC took the view that her compliance was insufficient and perhaps in retaliation, the MACC commenced the present charge against my client,” he said.

He added that based solely on the alleged non-compliance, a witness (Na’imah) is now subjected to criminal prosecution and faces the prospect of a custodial sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to RM100,000.

Justice Muniandy fixed July 11 for the parties to continue their submissions.

On Jan 23, 2024, Na’imah was charged in the Sessions Court for failure to comply with a notice to declare her assets, which included Menara Ilham and several other properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

She was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment or a fine of RM100,000 upon conviction.

On Feb 29, 2024, Na’imah filed an application to refer questions of law on Sections 30(5), 36(2) and 62 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, as well as Section 32(3)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001 to the High Court.

However, on Feb 18 this year, Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi dismissed Na’imah’s application on the ground that it disclosed no merit, holding that no constitutional questions arose for determination. — BERNAMA

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THE Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has issued inspection notices and show-cause letters to several business entities involved in the accident on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding, Gerik, Perak, on Monday.

In a statement today, MOTAC said the action was taken after the ministry conducted an investigation under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) after receiving a report of the tragedy involving students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

“MOTAC will also work with the Royal Malaysia Police, the Land Public Transport Agency and the Road Transport Department to complete the investigation in accordance with the provisions of the law so that appropriate punishment is imposed and the victims’ families receive the appropriate protection.

“Further action will be taken after the investigation is completed,” said MOTAC.

The statement said MOTAC also visited the victims and families involved in the incident that claimed 15 lives.

MOTAC also stressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that tourism activities in Malaysia are always carried out safely, ethically and beneficially for future generations.

“MOTAC expresses its condolences to all the families of victims and prays for the speedy recovery of all the injured victims,” the statement said.

In the incident on Monday, 15 UPSI students died when a chartered bus they were travelling in from Jertih, Terengganu to the main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak overturned after being involved in a collision with a Perodua Alza car on JRTB.

The accident also resulted in 33 individuals injured, including the bus driver and attendant as well as the driver and three passengers of the Perodua Alza. — BERNAMA

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by HIDAYATH HISHAM

COMMERCIAL buses and heavy vehicles in Malaysia will soon be required to install and activate speed limitation devices (SLDs), with a maximum speed cap of 90kph.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the enforcement will begin in stages from October, led by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), as part of efforts to improve road safety.

“This device plays an important role in preventing driving beyond the prescribed speed limit, especially for vehicles carrying heavy loads or passengers,” he said at the SLD enforcement launch at Scania Malaysia’s facility in Shah Alam, Selangor, today.

From Oct 1, all express buses, tour buses and goods vehicles over 3,500kg registered on or after Jan 1, 2015, must undergo a functionality check every two years to ensure their SLDs are operating correctly.

The verification report must be issued by either the vehicle manufacturer, a JPJ-recognised workshop or service facility, an accredited technical service or a certification body approved by the Department of Standards Malaysia.

Loke said the document must be carried in the vehicle at all times and will also be required during inspections at Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Motor (PPKM) and for permit applications or renewals with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).

For vehicles registered before 2015 with SLDs embedded in their electronic control units (ECUs), activation will be mandatory starting Jan 1, 2026.

Vehicles without any existing SLDs — including older heavy vehicles and rebuilt or imported used units — must install the device by July 1, 2026.

Retrofitting, Loke added, must be carried out by a JPJ-recognised workshop, technical service provider or accredited certification body, in full compliance with technical specifications set by the authorities.

Once installed, the device must be verified, documented in an official report and renewed every two years.

The report must also be kept in the vehicle for enforcement purposes.

JPJ will also expand its Conformity of Production (COP) inspections — which began in April — to cover commercial vehicle models with Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) issued from 2015 onwards.

“The implementation of this enforcement is an important step towards ensuring commercial vehicles comply with critical safety features, thereby reducing the risk of road accidents involving loss of life and property,” he said.

Loke urged vehicle manufacturers, logistics firms and fleet operators to give full cooperation in supporting safer, more compliant transport systems under the Malaysia Madani framework.

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