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KUALA LUMPUR — Businessman Albert Tei (picture) arrived at Bukit Aman at about 10.44 am today to record a statement in connection with a police report lodged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over his alleged defamatory remarks against MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

Tei, who was accompanied by his lawyers N. Surendren and Mahajoth Singh, concluded the statement-recording process at about 12.40 pm.

Earlier, Surendren, at a press conference, said that his client had been summoned to Bukit Aman today to assist in an investigation under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and Section 500 of the Penal Code.

On Nov 27, an MACC officer lodged a police report over a viral video clip on social media featuring a woman and Tei, containing allegations against Azam. — BERNAMA

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KUALA LUMPUR — A total of 12 road intersections around the capital will be closed and diverted in stages starting tomorrow until Tuesday to facilitate the chariot procession in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration on Feb 1.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the closures and diversions will begin at 9pm from the Sri Maha Mariamman Dhevasthanam Temple on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee here, heading towards the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, Selangor.

He said the intersections involved include Jalan Leboh Ampang/Jalan Perak, Jalan Tun Perak/Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock/Jalan Sultan, Jalan Sultan/Jalan Hang Jebat, Jalan Sultan/Jalan Petaling and Jalan Sultan/Jalan Panggung.

Also affected by the closures and diversions are the intersections of Jalan Sultan/Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Jalan Hang Kasturi/Jalan Sultan Mohamed, Jalan Munshi Abdullah/Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Dang Wangi/Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Laut/Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Raja Laut/Jalan Sultan Ismail.

“The return movement will begin at 3 pm on Feb 2 and is expected to arrive at around 4 am on Feb 3,” he said in a statement today.

In this regard, Mohd Zamzuri advised the public to plan their journeys in advance, use suitable alternative routes and extend full cooperation to traffic police personnel on duty.

“Compliance with instructions is crucial to ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of all parties,” he said. — BERNAMA

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SHAH ALAM — A total of 331 money laundering charges involving more than RM38.1 million against the former chief executive officer (CEO) and three accountants of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) will be heard before the same judge.

Sessions Court judge Fatimah Zahari allowed the prosecution’s application to consolidate all cases and have them tried before her, following their transfer from the Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kulim Sessions Courts.

The charges involve Nasiruddin Mohd Ali (picture), 67, who faces 77 counts amounting to RM10 million; Hamimah Yakub, 74, with 95 counts involving RM11.4 million; Asmat @ Asmanira Muhammad Ramly, 46, with 68 counts involving RM4.7 million; and Mohd Khushairi Osman, 55, who faces 91 counts involving almost RM12 million.

During proceedings today, deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul said applications to consolidate the cases had been made earlier in all relevant courts.

Defence counsel Datuk Rosli Kamaruddin, representing Nasiruddin, Asmat @ Asmanira and Mohd Khushairi, and Datuk Mohd Khair Yakub, representing Hamimah, did not object to the application. 

Rosli informed the court that the defence intends to submit a representation within three weeks, adding that they are reviewing case documents totalling about 10,000 pages.

The court allowed the application and fixed May 5 for the next mention.

On Sept 10 last year, Nasiruddin and the three former accountants pleaded not guilty at the Shah Alam Sessions Court to the money laundering charges.

The offences were allegedly committed at bank branches across Selangor between 2020 and 2024, involving transactions to several parties, including accounts belonging to GISBH, GISB Mart Sdn Bhd, GISB Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd and a childcare centre operator.

All accused were charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613), which carries up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of at least five times the value of the proceeds or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction. — BERNAMA

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POLICE uncovered a drug-processing laboratory operating from a luxury condominium unit in Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur (KL), and detained a Chinese national couple during a raid last Thursday (Jan 22).

Sentul district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari said the suspects had rented the high-security unit for RM6,000 a month and had been operating from the premises for about three months.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the Sentul Narcotics Crime Investigation Division raided the unit, located on the 49th floor of the condominium.

“We detained a 46-year-old Chinese man and a 39-year-old Chinese woman who were in the living room at the time,” Ahmad Sukarno said at a press conference at the Sentul district police headquarters.

A search of the unit led to the seizure of various drugs and processing equipment, an English daily reported.

Police found 1.878kg of ketamine, 380g of methamphetamine, 62g of cocaine and 7.151kg of MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy) powder, along with 10 bottles of liquid MDMA weighing a total of 37,445g.

Also seized were sodium chloride and other chemicals believed to be used in drug production. 

Ahmad Sukarno said the total value of the seized drugs and liquids is estimated at RM164,496 and they believe the premises were used to process, pack and store drugs for distribution around the Klang Valley.

Investigations showed the male suspect entered Malaysia in November, while his wife arrived about a week ago.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.

Police said efforts are ongoing to identify other syndicate members and trace the source of the drugs.

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THREE members of the Captain Praba criminal gang hid in India and Thailand while evading Malaysian authorities, under a manhunt dubbed Ops Jack Sparrow.

The suspects had been on the run since September last year and are believed to have frequently moved between the two countries to avoid detection, an English daily reported.

They were detained after attempting to enter the UK, where immigration authorities identified them as wanted criminals and denied them entry, a source told the newspaper, adding that authorities are still searching for the gang leader Captain Praba, who remains at large.

Under international return procedures, the men were sent back to Mumbai, India, their last point of departure. The three suspects, all in their 30s, are believed to be involved in violent crimes.

Upon arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the suspects allegedly resisted arrest and acted violently, prompting their detention by local security forces. 

They were arrested in Mumbai last Sunday (Jan 25) and later returned to Malaysia, where they were charged at the Sepang Sessions Court yesterday.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Datuk M Kumar (picture) confirmed the suspects were wanted for organised criminal activities under Ops Jack Sparrow.

The operation was launched by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in September last year and has led to 17 arrests across Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Perak.

Police believe the gang has been active since 2023 with 33 members in total, aged between 19 and 44.

Investigations into the group began following a shooting incident in Taman Sentosa, Klang, early last year and later included a murder case at a Brickfields restaurant.

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KUALA LUMPUR — A total of 1,520 police officers and personnel will be mobilised to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow around Batu Caves in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival this Sunday (Feb 1).

Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the deployment comprises 166 senior officers and 1,354 rank-and-file personnel from the state contingent, Bukit Aman and several other contingents.

According to him, of the total strength, 1,376 personnel are from the Selangor contingent, while the remaining 144 are from external units.

“The police will close roads under the jurisdiction of the Gombak district police headquarters (IPD) from 12.01 am Jan 30 until midnight on Feb 3.

“Seven main roads will be closed in stages, depending on the situation, to facilitate the movement of devotees and ensure smooth traffic flow,” he said at the Op Palu press conference in Batu Caves here today. 

Shazeli said the routes involved include the Kampung Melayu Batu Caves traffic light intersection, the exit from Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2 (MRR2) to Batu Caves Temple, Jalan Perusahaan to Batu Caves Temple, and the MRR2 exit from Sri Gombak to Susur Perusahaan.

“Also to be closed in stages are the three-way junction of Jalan Seri Batu Caves (SBC) 8 and Jalan Batu Caves Lama, the SBC traffic light junction in front of Shell, and the Batu Caves bypass leading to the main gate of Batu Caves Temple,” he said.

Shazeli advised road users without business in the celebration area to use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion.

“Details of each affected route will be updated on the Gombak IPD Facebook page for public reference,” he said.

Meanwhile, he reminded the public that the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Batu Caves Temple area is a prohibited zone for drone operations without a valid permit.

“Any party intending to operate a drone must obtain prior approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia. Firm action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the stipulated regulations,” he said. — BERNAMA

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FORMER military intelligence director Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Razali Alias pleaded not guilty to three corruption-related charges at the Sessions Court (SC) today.

Mohd Razali, 60, is accused of receiving gratification while serving as Defence Intelligence DG of the Malaysian Armed Forces, according to an English daily.

For the first charge, he is alleged to have accepted US$20,000 (RM78,660) from Sheikh Ahmad Nafiq Sheikh A Rahman at Kem Kementah, Kuala Lumpur, between August and November 2024.

The payment was allegedly made as an inducement to approve certification and acceptance of services for payment involving maintenance and support services for the Cyber Defence Operations Centre (CDOC) system under the Defence Intelligence Staff Division (BSPP).

The charge was brought under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

On the second and third charges, Mohd Razali is accused of accepting gratification on behalf of his wife, Datin Azarina Bakia, in the form of return flight tickets valued at RM26,800 and RM37,800, respectively.

These charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of two years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The court set bail at RM50,000 with one surety and ordered Mohd Razali to surrender his passport pending the disposal of the case.

The case has been fixed for mention on March 16.

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