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30 November 2017

Nephew of the Selangor Mentri Besar was among four men remanded for their alleged involvement in illegal sand mining

Selangor MB’s nephew among four remanded over illegal sand mining
PUTRAJAYA: A nephew of the Selangor Mentri Besar was among four men remanded for their alleged involvement in illegal sand mining in the state.

The men will be remanded for seven days until Dec 6 after the court granted the anti-graft prosecutors' application to detain them for further investigation.

Magistrate Ainna Sherina Saipolamin approved the remand order on Thursday.

Those arrested are two company directors, a staff member of an advertising company and a site manager.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had also frozen the account of a company, said to contain RM4mil, and seized several lorries laden with the illegal commodity during the operation.
 
Initial investigation showed that the company had been carrying out illegal sand mining in Kajang since 2014.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/30/selangor-mbs-relative-among-four-remanded-over-illegal-sand-mining/#qtXdF0YsDD9Bzav0.99

RCI implicates Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop too stating the entire incident was tantamount to a criminal breach of trust



Forex RCI: Finance minister concealed facts, PM implicated 

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) losses due to foreign exchange (forex) dealings in the early 1990s believes that the finance minister then had misled Cabinet.

In a 528-page report tabled in Parliament on Thursday, the RCI said it also believes that the prime minister at the time had given the green light for the finance minister’s misleading statements.

The finance minister then had “deliberately concealed facts and information and made misleading statements to the Cabinet.

“The Commission is also of the opinion that the then prime minister had condoned the actions of the Minister of Finance," said the report.
The finance minister at the time was Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while the prime minister was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The RCI also implicated Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who was in charge of BNM’s forex dealing operations at the time.

It said that it believes the entire incident was tantamount to a criminal breach of trust under Sections 406 and 409 of the Penal Code, and that it involved an element of cheating in violation of Sections 417 and/or 418 of the Penal Code.

BNM had incurred losses amounting to RM31.5bil due to its forex dealings between 1992 and 1994, the report confirmed.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/30/forex-rci-finance-minister-concealed-facts-pm-implicated/#16jMqvYe0SW2isHR.99

Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) says Anwar Ibrahim should be investigated for BNM forex scandal in the 1990's


RCI recommends criminal probe against Anwar for ‘misleading’ Cabinet

BY RAM ANAND
The Malay Mail Online30 November 2017



Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is currently serving a five-year jail sentence after being convicted of sodomy in 2015. — Picture by Choo Choy MayMore


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should be investigated for possible wrongdoing in his handling of Bank Negara Malaysia’s foreign exchange scandal before the Cabinet in the 1990s, said a royal panel that reviewed the matter.

In its report tabled in Parliament today, the Royal Commission of Inquiry said this was necessary as he had concealed facts about the central bank’s losses then, and suggested that investigators apply Sections 417 and 418 of the Penal Code that pertain to cheating.

“We cannot avoid the glaring fact that (Anwar), as the finance minister, was responsible for misleading (deceiving) the Cabinet and Parliament on the actual forex losses faced by the BNM,” the commission said.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail sentence after being convicted of sodomy in 2015

Malaysian Tourism Minister defends choice of Luis Suarez As Malaysia Tourism Ambassador

Image result for luis suarez malaysia tourism




Nazri defends choice of Luiz Suarez as Malaysia's tourism ambassador

Veena Babulal
New Straits Times30 November 2017



Look at Barcelona striker Luis Suarez’s celebrity status, not his notoriety.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said this while defending the government’s call to appoint Suarez, known as a “serial biter”, as Malaysia’s tourism ambassador. He said the star player’s social media status was undeniable.

“He has 25.3 million followers on Instagram, 18.9 million on Facebook 12.4 million people following him on Twitter.”

“The statistics say that he is a popular player. We sometimes don’t understand how fans think. What is important is the statistics,” he added.

Nazri further said that the 2017/2018 La Liga is being watched by 800 million viewers worldwide and Suarez has been roped in to invite viewers to come visit Malaysia in advertisements aired at stadiums.

He was responding to Lee Hoy Sian (PKR-Petaling Jaya Selatan) in Dewan Rakyat today who had asked why the ministry made the allegedly unwise decision of recruiting a serial biter as its ambassador.

“There are parliamentarians in this hall who are terribly behaved but they have their supporters.

“We can’t judge him based on what happened in the past. This also took place when he was playing football,” said Nazri.

To Datuk Othman Abdul's (BN-Pendang) supplementary questions on the special duties given to Suarez and the ripple effect on tourism, Nazri said Malaysia wanted the latter to continue “scoring many goals”.

“We are not too pre-occupied with Spanish tourists specifically. But if ten or one per cent of viewers who watch our ads come to visit Malaysia, that is already a lot,” he added. © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

New twist emerged on the assassination of North Korean Kim Chol @ Kim Jong-Un that he had a dozen bottles of antidote for nerve agent in his backpack

Image result for kim jong un klia
Kim Chol had 12 bottles of antidote for nerve agent and pesticide poisoning in his backpack, High Court told

RAHMAT KHAIRULRIJAL
New Straits Times29 November 2017



SHAH ALAM: A new twist emerged on the assassination of North Korean Kim Chol when a prosecution witness told the High Court today that the deceased had a dozen bottles of antidote for nerve agent in his backpack during the incident.

The 12 bottles which contained ‘Antropine’ was used to treat certain types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings including VX nerve agent.

This was confirmed by Alcohol and Clinical Toxicology Unit Chief Dr L. Sharmilah, 38, who testified as a 23rd prosecution witness in the trial of Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 28, who are charged with murdering Kim Chol, along with four others still at large, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) on Feb 13.

“I received the items (antidote) together with seven other exhibits from a police officer who handed it to me at about 4.06pm on March 10 for toxicology test,” she said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Fairuz Johari.

Sharmilah said traces of several common drugs were found during a test on Kim Chol’s blood. However, they were normal doses.

“Among the common drugs traced were drugs to control high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, and pain killer,” she said.

However, Sharmilah, when being cross-examined by Siti Aisyah’s counsel Gooi Soon Seng, agreed with his suggestion that pesticide could cause death and could give the same symptom as VX nerve agent.

“However, the use of pesticide to kill people requires different level of concentration compared to VX,” she said.

She said about 10mg of VX nerve agent was required to kill a person via skin absorption.

“Compared to Phorate, the most toxic type of insecticide in the organophosphate group, one needs 72,000 milligram to cause death through skin absorption,” she said.

Later into the trial, the prosecution called Selangor Criminal Investigation Department officer Assistant Superitendant Nasrul Sain Hamzah who testified that Doan had led the raiding team to the Sky Star Hotel in Sepang, which led to the discovery of the infamous white shirt with the letters “LOL”.

“Following interrogation at the Sepang police headquarters, Doan said to me “I can show you the shirt that I wore on the day of the incident”,” he said.

He said his men together with police forensic team led by Doan went to the hotel on Feb 15 and rushed to Room 410, which was rented by Doan.

“Upon arrival, Doan opened the door and I saw a very cluttered room with a pile of clothes dumped beside a bed.

“Doan with her hands cuffed to the front went inside and went through the clothes which were dumped on top of the open pink Hello Kitty bag.

“She handed me the white ‘LOL’ shirt and a colourful dress before I give them to the forensic team at the scene,” he said.

Nasrul Sain said the team also went to the Concorde Hotel in Kuala Lumpur after Doan gave them a tip-off that three of her acquaintance were staying at the hotel.

“However, we failed to track down the suspects believed to be North Korean citizens,” he said.

Trial continues tomorrow before Judge Datuk Azmi Ariffin.

On March 1, Siti Aisyah and Doan were charged at the Sepang magistrate's court with murdering Kim Chol, 45, with four others still at large.

Kim Chol was later established to be Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The duo allegedly committed the offence at klia 2 departure hall around 9am on Feb 13.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries a mandatory death penalty. © New Straits Times Press

29 November 2017

Wireman escapes gallows as Federal Court jails him for gang robbery with murder











Wireman escapes gallows as Federal Court jails him for gang robbery with murder

Bernama
New Straits Times29 November 2017



PUTRAJAYA: A wireman escaped the gallows after the Federal Court today set aside his conviction for murder and found him guilty instead on a charge of gang robbery with murder.

A five-man panel chaired by Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif sentenced Mohd Naim Ramli to 25 years jail and ordered him to be given 10 strokes of the cane for the offence under Section 396 of the Penal Code.

In allowing Mohd Naim’s appeal to set aside his conviction for murder, he said that based on evidence, the court found that Mohd Naim’s conviction for murder was not safe.

“From the evidence available, we are of the view that the accused was involved in robbery and hence we unanimously find the accused guilty under Section 396 of the Penal Code,” said Justice Raus.

On the sentence, he said the offence committed by Mohd Naim, 29, was a serious one and the court cannot consider the submission made by his counsel Ridha Abdah Subri to impose a 15-year jail term. He also said that imposing the death sentence was also not safe.

Deputy public prosecutor Faizah Mohd Salleh had urged the court to retain the death sentence as she said section 396 of the Penal Code provided the death sentence or jail for up to 30 years and whipping upon conviction.

Presiding with Justice Raus were Federal Court judges Tan Sri Zainun Ali, Tan Sri Ramly Ali, Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed and Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim.

In March 2015, Mohd Naim was convicted and sentenced to death by the Shah Alam High Court for the murder of Loh Min Lee, 36, a computer engineer, at his home in Jalan Putra Perdana, Puchong, at 4.15 am on Dec 7, 2012.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision on Sept 27 last year.

Evidence adduced by the prosecution showed that Mohd Naim and a friend had gone to rob Loh at his house, and that Loh was attacked with a hammer by Mohd Naim and sustained injuries which led to his death.

Loh was asleep in his bedroom when the incident happened. — BERNAMA © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

Another Amazing Wonder Built in Malaysia: New Rawang Bypass. See Video


New Rawang Bypass creates impression of driving through mist

Esther Landau
New Straits Times29 November 2017
Image result for rawang bypass


RAWANG: More than 30,000 road users in Hulu Selangor and Selayang will get to enjoy the newly opened Rawang Bypass starting today.

The 9km stretch of the toll-free highway with the construction of 2.7 km high rise bridge was launched on Tuesday by the Works Ministry.

With the new bypass, motorists can now reduce their travel time during peak hours, from Rawang and Serendah to Kuala Lumpur, from two hours to just 30 minutes.

What makes it attractive and unique is it is the tallest highway in the country which involved the construction of pillar structures at the height of 58.2 meters.

A passerby Hanif Abu Kassim, 55, from Taman Serendah Makmur here, was thankful to the government for providing such a facility for people in the surrounding area.

"I usually take the old routes to get to Kuala Lumpur and it takes me almost an hour to reach due to traffic congestion during peak hours.

"Now with this newly constructed bypass, my travel time to the city is only 20 minutes.

"I am thankful to the government for providing this accessibility. I can bring my family here to enjoy the view of the forest as well as Rawang town," said Hanif when met at the highway.

Checks by the New Straits Times at the location also saw several motorists parking their vehicles along the roadside and taking selfies with the scenery in the background.

Norfatmayati Redzuan, 41, from Templer Park here, said with the highway she could go anywhere with ease.

"I can travel to Serendah, Selayang and the city centre in less than 30 minutes.

"I do not need to worry about leaving the house early just to beat the traffic," she said.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the two-way lane would shorten the journey to the city center during peak hours from two hours to 30 minutes.

"The project is one of the unique landmarks in the road construction history. It gives motorists the feeling of as if they are driving through fog (mist) after it rains or early in the morning. "Road users can also enjoy the scenery and view of Rawang town," said Fadillah at the launching ceremony.

He said the project costing RM628 million was constructed using the Movable Scaffolding System (MSS).

The MSS, he said, was to preserve the ecosystem by preventing the use of excessive heavy machinery during the construction.

Fadillah also said the government took into consideration the impact on the environment in order to maintain the ecosystem as it was built through the Selangor State Park.

"The project only took up about 23.6 ha of the forest land from its 64 ha. We also want to preserve the Giam Kanching, a species of tree which can only be found in the park here," he added.

The construction of the project began on July 16, 2005, and was completed on Nov 21. © New Straits Times Press

Malaysian woman jailed 3 Years after trafficking friend for sex work in Perth brothel

Malaysian woman jailed after trafficking friend for sex work in Perth brothel

Updated Tue at 3:13pm
A former prostitute has been sentenced to more than three years' jail for the "sexual servitude" of a childhood friend who she lured from Malaysia to Perth to work in a brothel.
Lay Foon Khoo, 38, was found guilty by a District Court jury of arranging for the 26-year-old woman to fly to WA in December 2015.
The woman told Khoo's trial she believed she was coming to Australia for a 10-day holiday, however she said she was taken straight to Sarah's Massage Parlour in East Perth where "it was made clear" to her that she had to work as a prostitute to repay the cost of her travel.
Her passport was also taken and she was told she would not get it back until she had repaid all her debts.
The woman testified she worked at the brothel for the next seven days and, in that time, Khoo arranged for her get loans with exorbitant interest rates through "loan sharks" and also demanded she hand over her mobile phone to cover her costs.
The woman also paid $900 for the cost of her airline ticket — double what Khoo had paid.
She decided to go to police on January 4 last year after talking to a friend in Malaysia.

Brothel boss told about 'very pretty friend'

Judge Julie Wager said the offences of slavery and people trafficking were "amongst the most abhorrent of all crimes" and were "major violations of human rights".
She said the victim was "engaged in sexual servitude from the night she arrived" and must have felt "helpless".
The court heard Khoo — who worked as prostitute after coming to WA in early 2015 — was friends with the woman because they had grown up in the same Malaysian village.
Khoo had discussed the possibility of her working in the sex industry, but she said she was not interested.
Despite that, before the woman's arrival in Perth, Khoo had texted the boss at the brothel saying: "I have a friend arriving tomorrow. Will bring her to 124. Young and very pretty".

Khoo tried to 'intimidate' woman

Judge Wager said while the woman was "clearly looked after well" at the brothel and was not ill-treated, "it was not where she chose to be, or what she chose to do of her own free will".
"You misused a friendship and placed a woman in a position where she felt she had no other choice but to perform sexual acts to pay back debts that had been facilitated by you," she said.
Judge Wager also said after the woman had gone to police, Khoo made implied threats to her — sending messages that contained details of her family, including her young daughter.
"You were attempting to intimidate her, to try to get her to retract what she said to police," the judge said.
Judge Wager described Khoo's background as "very distressing", saying she was born in prison where her parents were serving sentences for drug trafficking and was raised by other family members who treated her badly.
However, she said the offences were so serious, only an immediate term of imprisonment was appropriate.
Khoo was sentenced to a prison term of three years and four months.
She will have to serve at least 18 months before she can be released, when it is likely she will be deported to Malaysia.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/woman-jailed-after-trafficking-friend-for-sex-in-perth-brothel/9202148

Two American tourists have been held for "inappropriate behaviour" after sharing photos of them baring their buttocks at Bangkok's famous Wat Arun Temple

US tourists held for baring bums at Bangkok's famous Wat Arun

image: https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/11/29/06/59/lwxthailand291117.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=085E09D2CC397136757E15436D130B58F9BFFA74
Joseph and Travis Dasilva, both 38, uploaded pictures on Nov 24 of their bared backsides at Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) to Instagram.PHOTO: BANGKOKPOST.COM.
Joseph and Travis Dasilva, both 38, uploaded pictures on Nov 24 of their bared backsides at Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) to Instagram.PHOTO: BANGKOKPOST.COM.
BANGKOK: Two American tourists have been held for "inappropriate behaviour" after sharing photos of them baring their buttocks at a famous Bangkok temple, Thai police said Wednesday (Nov 29).
The pair, Joseph and Travis Dasilva, both 38, uploaded pictures on November 24 of their bared backsides at Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) to Instagram.
It was not immediately clear if the men were related.
But their asinine antics could land them in more serious trouble after police sought to charge them under a draconian computer crime law - an offence that can carry jail time.
The men were detained at a Bangkok airport late Tueday and fined US$150 each.
"They were detained as they were about to leave Thailand," Colonel Cherngron Rimpadee, an Immigration Police spokesman said, adding they were on a 'watch list' after their social media posts caught authorities' attention.
Colonel Jarupat Thongkomol, from the police station near the temple which is managing the case, said the men now faced more serious charges.
"We are now seeking court approval to prosecute them on Computer Crime Act for uploading pornographic pictures," he said.
The act carries up to five years jail per charge and is routinely slapped on political dissidents or people deemed to have insulted Thailand's monarchy.
Junta-run Thailand takes a hardline on disrespectful gestures towards Buddhism, the dominant religion in Thailand.
Tourists are told not buy and sell Buddha sculptures or get sacred tattoos or of images of the Buddha for fashion purposes.
People visiting temples are also expected to dress modestly, covering their shoulders and legs - with advice signs common at Bangkok's religious landmarks.
In 2015 neighbouring Malaysia deported four western tourists after charging them with obscenity for taking nude photos on a mountain on Borneo island. - AFP

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2017/11/29/us-tourists-held-for-baring-bums-at-bangkoks-famous-wat-arun/#i5dJEu5GaQED191s.99


Senior Saudi prince freed in $1 billion corruption settlement agreement

Senior Saudi prince freed in $1 billion settlement agreement - official
DUBAI (Reuters) - Senior Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender to the throne, was freed after reaching an "acceptable settlement agreement" with authorities paying more than $1 billion, a Saudi official said on Wednesday.
Miteb, 65, son of the late King Abdullah and former head of the elite National Guard, was among dozens of royal family members, ministers and senior officials who were rounded up in a graft inquiry partly aimed at strengthening the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The official, who is involved in the anti-corruption campaign, said Miteb was released on Tuesday after reaching "an acceptable settlement agreement". The amount of the settlement was not disclosed but the official said it is believed to be the equivalent of more than $1 billion.
"It is understood that the settlement included admitting corruption involving known cases," the official said.
The allegations against the others included kickbacks, inflating government contracts, extortion and bribery.
The claims could not be independently verified.
Saudi authorities had been working on striking agreements with some of those in detention, asking them to hand over assets and cash in return for their freedom.
News of the purge emerged on Nov 4 soon after King Salman decreed the creation of an anti-corruption committee led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, his 32-year-old favourite son, also known as MbS, who has amassed power since his meteoric rise three years ago.
The new body was given broad powers to investigate cases, issue arrest warrants and travel restrictions, and seize assets.
In an interview with the New York Times published last week, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was quoted as saying that the vast majority of about 200 businessmen and officials implicated in the crackdown were agreeing to settlements under which they would hand assets over to the government.
Apart from Miteb, the Saudi official said that at least three other people allegedly involved in corruption cases have also finalised settlement agreements.
He said the Public Prosecutor had also decided to release a number of individuals and to prosecute at least 5 individuals. The official gave no details on their identities.
DETAILED CHARGES NOT REVEALED
The authorities have not revealed detailed charges against any of the detainees. It was also unclear if Miteb was able to move freely or whether he would be put under house arrest.
Officials from Miteb's office could not immediately be reached for a comment about his release. An acquaintance of the family has said earlier on his twitter account that Miteb was receiving brothers and sons at his palace in Riyadh.
The arrest of royals and top business elite capped a frenetic almost three years of growing power by MbS. It was seen as another pre-emptive step by the crown prince to remove powerful figures as he exerts control over the world’s leading oil exporter.
The roundup recalled the meticulously planned palace coup in June through which MbS ousted his elder cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir to the throne, interior minister and veteran head of the kingdom's formidable security apparatus.
In September, he rounded up and jailed religious and intellectual opponents.
This month’s purge was another carefully planned swoop on 11 princes, four serving ministers, dozens of former ministers and officials, and tycoons including the kingdom’s best-known businessman, Prince Alwaleeed bin Talal, who owns high-profile stakes in global companies like Citigroup and Twitter.
They were held at the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh.
Yet many observers believe the primary target of the purge was Prince Miteb, overlord of Saudi Arabia’s 100,000-strong National Guard, as he represented the last great power centre left standing after the toppling of former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
By launching a war on corruption MbS combined a popular cause with the elimination of perhaps the last obstacles between him and the throne.
As the Sandhurst-trained preferred son of the late King Abdullah, Miteb was once thought to be a leading contender to the throne.
Before he was sacked by a royal decree on Nov. 4, he headed the Saudi National Guard, a pivotal power base rooted in the kingdom’s tribes that was run by his father for five decades.
He was also the last remaining member of Abdullah's Shammar branch of the family to retain a key position at the top of the Saudi power structure, after brothers Mishaal and Turki were relieved of their posts as governors in 2015.
(Reporting by Samia Nakhoul Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Toni Reinhold & Simon Cameron-Moore)

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2017/11/29/senior-saudi-prince-freed-in-settlement-agreement-of-1-billion--saudi-official/#6G6FlIKrS04Jf48K.99


In A First Case Of Spreading False Information via WhatsApp, Teacher charged for spreading false info about a man accusing him of being a rapist


Image result for rafeah buang whatsapp

Teacher charged with spreading false rape allegations in WhatsApp group




KOTA KINABALU: A 36-year-old teacher has been charged with spreading false information about a man via a WhatsApp group, accusing him of being a rapist.

Rafeah Buang, a teacher in the information technology department of the Community Development Department (Kemas) pleaded not guilty to the charges in front of Tawau Sessions Court judge Awang Krisnada Awang Mahmud on Tuesday.

This is believed to the first case involving the spread of false information via WhatsApp heard in the country.

According to the facts of case, Rafeah had allegedly committed the offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, at about 11.45am on Dec 11, 2014.


Rafeah could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to a year, or both.

She could also be subject to a RM1,000 fine for each day the false information was in circulation.

Mohd Sophian Zakaria from the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission who prosecuted recommended that the accused be allowed a RM2,000 bail with one surety.

The judge allowed bail of RM2500 and one surety and fixed Jan 21, 2018 for the case to be tried in Semporna.

Rafeah paid the bail.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/28/teacher-charged-with-spreading-false-rape-allegations-in-whatsapp-group/#U3iUy4F7s9BO1Hh0.99

Nearly every day for months, a 31-year-old woman and husband physically abused a friend who lived with her,


Tan Hui Zhen and her husband, Pua Hak Chuan, were arrested for the murder of Annie Ee Yu Lian on April 13, 2015.PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO.
Tan Hui Zhen and her husband, Pua Hak Chuan, were arrested for the murder of Annie Ee Yu Lian on April 13, 2015.PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO.
SINGAPORE: Nearly every day for months, a 31-year-old woman physically abused a friend who lived with her, to "punish" her for lying and other purported misdeeds.
In March 2015, Tan Hui Zhen and her husband Pua Hak Chuan started using a 1-kg roll of shrink wrap to assault the victim, a 26-year-old waitress who had intellectual disabilities. They deliberately targeted her buttocks, where her injuries would be inconspicuous.
The beatings left blisters on Annie Ee Yu Lian's buttocks - one about 8cm in diameter. The injuries were so serious the couple used sanitary pads to dry the wounds and bandage them.
Ee suffered her final beating on April 12, 2015.
They repeatedly beat her with the shrink wrap, smashed a plastic dustbin down on her, and left her on her mattress groaning in pain.
The next morning, when they checked on her, she was lifeless.
On Monday (Nov 27), Tan, now 33, and Pua, now 38, pleaded guilty to various charges for the extensive torture of Ee, who died from multiple injuries in their Woodlands four-room flat. They were initially charged with murder.
Tan pleaded guilty to two counts each of causing grievous hurt and causing grievous hurt with a weapon, while Pua pleaded guilty to one count of causing hurt and two counts of causing grievous hurt with a weapon.
Describing their acts as "an appalling case of abuse and cruelty", prosecutors are seeking 15 years' jail for Tan and 14 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane for Pua.
"Annie thought she had found a home and a family with the two accused. Unfortunately, they were not motivated by altruism," said Deputy Public Prosecutor April Phang.
The DPP said the couple exploited the victim and subjected her to eight months of psychological and physical torture. The couple's "use of gratuitous violence and senseless brutality" led to her "excruciating" death, said the DPP.
Tan and Ee were 17 and 13 respectively when they first met in 2001. Tan was a sales assistant at a clothing shop Ee's mother frequented. They lost touch but rekindled their friendship in 2013.
Ee, who became estranged from her family, moved into Tan and Pua's flat in late 2013 and was tasked to do the housework. She called Tan "jie jie" (older sister in Mandarin) and Pua "jie fu" (brother-in-law).
The couple did not charge her rent at first but then started collecting $150 (RM458) a month, increasing this gradually to $550 (RM1,680).
Tan started assaulting Ee in August 2014 after she blamed the victim for a bedbug infestation. Tan slapped and whipped her, tried to strangle her, banged her head against a wall, and kicked and stepped on her.
Pua was the "standby slapper" who occasionally took over when Tan became tired.
Ee suffered in silence as Tan punished her for misdeeds such as lying or taking too long in the shower.
After the couple realised that Ee was "afraid" of being hit with the shrink wrap, they decided to assault her with it.
Almost daily, the couple beat her with the roll of wrap, making her verbalise her "mistakes" and declare that she would "change". The beating sessions went on for as long as two hours.
In the weeks before her death, the couple noticed she was becoming weak and was panting for breath. Pua suggested they stop hitting her to allow her to recover before "starting anew".
But after a few days, Tan resumed hitting Ee to punish her for breaking the rules.
On the morning before the fatal assault, Ee cut her wrist with a pair of scissors but Tan took the tool away.
The couple then went out. Returning, they found her lying face down in a puddle of urine. When Tan scolded her, Ee said she could not control her bladder.
As Tan mopped up the mess, Ee changed into a clean top but did not put on any shorts as her buttocks were too swollen and painful.
That evening, the couple left the flat to buy food for her and returned to find her in her own urine again.
Angered, Tan decided to punish her for her "bad attitude".
Tan forcefully swung the shrink wrap against Ms Ee's back multiple times as the victim pleaded with her to stop. When told to return to her room, she lost her balance and fell to the floor.
Pua told the victim to "stop acting" before thrusting the shrink wrap at her abdomen as she curled her body up. Not satisfied, he smashed a dustbin down on her with such force that the plastic cracked.
The next morning, after discovering that she was dead, Pua tore off a layer of plastic from the shrink wrap and flushed it down the toilet to get rid of fingerprints.
Tan then called her own brother to say Ee had committed suicide but eventually called the police.
When the officers arrived, Tan said the victim was a clumsy person who would often injure herself. She also claimed that Ee often jumped up and landed on her buttocks for no apparent reason.
The couple later admitted assaulting her.
An autopsy report showed that Ee suffered fractures to seven vertebrae and 12 ribs.
Tan's lawyer, Josephus Tan, described the case as one of a "mismatch of expectations" between the parties. He said Tan's mental health was affected after she had suffered three miscarriages.
An Institute of Mental Health report said Tan's mental construct was "complex" as she had multiple psychiatric conditions including a borderline personality disorder and depression.
Lawyer Cory Wong, representing Pua, said his client did not dare stand up to his wife. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2017/11/28/couple-pleads-guilty-to-torturing-friend-who-died-after-8-months-of-abuse/#Xo3lGwcUuvKY33yI.99

Pahang MB said sorry to Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji (DAP-Mentakab) but maintained that he never challenged him to a fist fight.





NATION


Tuesday, 28 Nov 20179:43 PM MYT


KUANTAN: Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob (pic) has apologised for his behaviour towards the state Opposition leader during the state assembly sitting last week.

Adnan said sorry to Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji (DAP-Mentakab) but maintained that he never challenged him to a fist fight.

“I have referred to the Hansard and found I did not challenge anyone to a fist fight. It is madness for a mentri besar to be involved in a fight. He will no longer be qualified to be a mentri besar and an assemblyman.

“I have never gone physical in my lifetime, even during my school days. I would rather debate,” he said in his winding up speech in the assembly yesterday.




Adnan said he merely asked Tengku Zulpuri to “go outside” which could mean going for tea, or talk together.

“At that time, the Mentakab assemblyman started moving towards me and if he had reached me, I would have just hugged him,” he said.

Adnan said it was Lee Chean Chung (PKR-Semambu) who started spreading lies, saying that the Mentri Besar had challenged Tengku Zulpuri to a fist fight in the state assembly.

Tengku Zulpuri then stood up and said he forgave Adnan.

“I understand that the Mentri Besar is old (dah berumur) and he may have been feeling stressed out that day,” said Tengku Zulpuri.

During the sitting last Wednesday, a war of words erupted between Adnan and Tengku Zulpuri when the latter said natural disasters happened in various parts of the world and that they were not necessarily caused by organising a beer festival.

He was responding to Adnan’s statement on Monday that the recent floods in Penang were unprecedented and that it could have been a “heavenly calamity” over a beer festival held in the state.

There was a tense moment when both men started moving towards each other as though they were about to engage in a fist fight when recess was called.

Adnan also apologised to Speaker Datuk Seri Ishak Muhamad, Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamed Jaafar and Leong Ngah Ngah (DAP-Tanah Rata) for raising his voice at Leong when debating the state budget.

Adnan said it was a noble act to apologise even if one was not in the wrong


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/28/pahang-mb-says-sorry-to-state-opposition-leader/#KMAHgcYACCvusEdU.99

Assistant governor, Jessica Chew Cheng Lian has been appointed as deputy governor for a three-year term effective Jan 1, 2018.


Jessica Chew is new Bank Negara deputy governor



Bank Negara Malaysia's assistant governor, Jessica Chew Cheng Lian has been appointed as deputy governor for a three-year term effective Jan 1, 2018.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia's assistant governor, Jessica Chew Cheng Lian, has been appointed deputy governor for a three-year term effective Jan 1, 2018.

The central bank said on Tuesday the Minister of Finance has approved Chew's appointment.

She assumes the position of deputy governor following the retirement of Dr Sukudhew (Sukhdave) Singh as deputy governor on Dec 31, 2017.

As deputy governor, Chew will be responsible for financial sector regulation and development including payment systems, organisational development sector and centralised shared services.




Chew is currently the assistant governor responsible for the development of regulations and policies in the banking and insurance sectors focusing on efficiency, innovation, market institutions and structures, development finance and talent development.

She is also responsible for payment systems development and regulation and oversight of the money services business.

Chew is a member of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee and the Financial Stability Committee.

She is the Chairman of the Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA), a member of the Board of Directors of the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd, a member of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors’ (IAIS) Technical Committee and is also an advisor to the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB).

In line with the appointment of Chew as deputy governor on Jan 1, 2018, effective on the same date, deputy governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour will oversee the monetary and economics sector, supervision sector, investment and operations sector as well as LINK and BNM Offices, Finance and Legal departments.


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/11/28/jessica-chew-is-new-deputy-bank-negara-governor/#yXEqpBt5Ojmy82Od.99

28 November 2017

Murder Accused in Tahfiz School Fire: 16, And Boy, 12, Acquitted Of Drug Charge

Tahfiz Murder Accused, 16, And Boy, 12, Acquitted Of Drug Charge


Pic: BernamaPic: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: A teenager who was charged with the murder of 23 people – 21 students and two teachers of the Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah centre – has been acquitted of a drug charge today.
A 12-year-old was also freed of a charge of self-administration or consuming drugs at the Child Court here.
Lawyer Noor Svetlana Mohd Nordin, who represented the 12-year-old boy, said the prosecution withdrew the charge as the urine pathology report from hospital showed "negative" result.
"It means there are no traces of drug in the urine," said Noor Svetlana. "He is freed today."
Lawyer Joanne Chua, who represented the 16-year-old murder accused also confirmed that the prosecution had withdrawn the charge against her client.
They were charged under section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, for self-administration or consuming drugs.
Another 16-year-old accused had claimed on a similar charge of consuming drugs and mention is fixed on Jan 3, 2018.
Meanwhile, two brothers, who were also facing charges for consuming drugs under section 15(1)(a), pleaded guilty and their case is fixed at 2.30pm, today.
The two 16-year-old teenagers were jointly charged on Sept 28, 2017, at a magistrate's court with the murder of the 23 people at the Tahfiz centre located at Jalan Keramat Hujung, Kampung Datuk Keramat, between 4.15am and 6.45am on Sept 14, 2017.
No plea was recorded.
The murder case was also fixed for a mention on Jan 3, 2018 before a magistrate's court as the post-mortem reports are not completed yet.
Another 18-year-old accused was charged with two counts of self -administration of drugs, including Methamphetamine, in the urine test at about 11.35am at a toilet at D7, Criminal Investigation Division, Dang Wangi police contingent headquarters on Sept 16, 2017, was mentioned today.
However, as there was no order to produce him, the matter was fixed for a mention on Wednesday.
- Sun Daily

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