KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Police have arrested a man and seized 300 packets of ketum water worth about RM3,000 during a raid on an unnumbered house in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, Pahang, yesterday.

Rompin police chief Supt Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the suspect was detained in a joint operation by the district narcotics investigation department and the Marine Police Force Region 3, Tanjung Gemok at about 12.30am, according to a report published by BuletinTV3.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

“If convicted, the suspect faces a maximum fine of RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both,” he said in a statement.

Sharif said preliminary investigations found that the 54-year-old Indonesian national had a prior record involving a similar offence in 2024.

He added that the arrest was the result of continued intelligence work and public cooperation.

Police will not compromise with any party involved in drug distribution, including ketum-related offences which are classified as poisons and psychotropic substances under Malaysian law, he said.

KUANTAN, June 7 — An American tourist who was reported missing while hiking on Pulau Tioman was found safe last night after he shared his real-time location via mobile phone with rescue teams.

Rompin district police chief Supt Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said police received information about the missing man at about 5.30pm yesterday after he failed to return to his resort accommodation following an activity along the old Kampung Tekek-Kampung Juara trail.

“The victim was found at 8.33pm in the Bukit Parang forest area, Kampung Tekek, in a safe condition and without any injuries. He was taken out of the forest area for further checks,” he said in a statement today, without naming the victim.

He said the trail has many junctions and side paths and is no longer used as a main route by locals. 

“At present, the trail is often used by tourists as a hiking and recreational route. Investigations found that the victim got lost after taking the wrong branch of the path, which caused him to be unable to exit the hilly forest area,” he said.

Sharif Shai said the search operation was carried out by the Tioman police station with assistance from the Wildlife and National Parks Department team on Pulau Tioman.

He advised tourists engaging in hiking or recreational activities in forested areas to make adequate preparations, inform relevant parties of their movements, and ensure communication devices are in good working order to avoid untoward incidents. — Bernama