IPOH, June 6 — A man with mental disabilities who was reported missing after leaving his home in Simpang 4, Anak Kurau, near Batu Kurau last Sunday was found dead in a plantation area near Teratak Afrina Chalet today.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the department received an emergency call on the discovery of the body of Zakaria Shamsudin, 42, at 12.19 pm.

He said firefighters found the body about 500 metres from where the fire engine was stationed, and police later confirmed it was Zakaria, who had been reported missing nearly a week ago.

“The victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action,” he said in a statement today.

On June 1, Zakaria was reported missing after leaving his home at about 4 pm. He was last seen walking with his stepson towards a bush area about 300 metres from the house before disappearing when the boy stopped to tie his shoelaces.  — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while trekking Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah on May 24, was found safe near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, this afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the private company supply chain executive was found by a villager, Nazri Bah Eng, at about 3 pm.

“Upon finding the victim, he informed his nephew in Johor, who then lodged a report with the authorities,” he said in a statement today.

He said Jaslinda was in a safe condition and had been temporarily placed at the residence of the Tok Batin of Kampung Lubuk Gaharu while the relevant authorities coordinated the next course of action.

Jaslinda was part of a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Mountain Guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and fellow hiker Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly encountered health problems and stopped the climb. However, Jaslinda later continued towards the summit and was last seen on May 24 before being reported missing. — Bernama

IPOH, June 12 — Police have arrested a man who is believed to have defamed and tarnished the reputation of the Tok Batin (village chief) of Kampung Orang Asli Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, in relation to the recent rescue of female hiker Jaslinda Saludin, through a livestream on the TikTok platform.

Tapah police chief Abdul Malik Hasim said the suspect, in his 30s, was arrested at his residence in Ipoh at about 1 pm yesterday and that a remand application would be made in court tomorrow.

Earlier, he said the investigation papers were opened under Section 500 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, adding that 11 police reports have been received in connection with the case.

Yesterday, the man issued a public apology via a video recording following controversy over a livestream on his TikTok account, which allegedly defamed the Tok Batin, Mohd Asmmadi Abdullah, and Jaslinda. 

Previously, during a livestream on the same account, the man allegedly claimed that Jaslinda had been ‘kept’ by Mohd Asmmadi for two weeks, and further alleged that if the matter had not gone viral, the Tok Batin might have married the woman. 

Jaslinda, 49, was found safe by villagers in Kampung Lubuk Gaharu on Saturday, (June 6) after being missing for 14 days since May 24 while hiking  high Gunung Batu Putih, which stands at approximately 2,132 metres. — Bernama

IPOH, June 1 — Police are hunting for three men, believed to be Indonesian nationals, involved in a gang robbery armed with machetes at a house in the Pekan Gurney area, Manjung yesterday.

Manjung District Police Chief, ACP Hasbullah Abd Rahman, said that his department received a report regarding the incident from a female victim in her 40s at 6.27am.

“In the incident, three male suspects, believed to be Indonesian nationals, entered the house and threatened the victim with a machete before fleeing with cash and jewelry. No injuries were reported, and the estimated loss is said to be RM10,000,” he said in a statement today.

He added that there have been four previous incidents with the same modus operandi occurring around Ayer Tawar and Pekan Gurney this year.

“The police are actively conducting investigations to track down and arrest the suspects involved. Members of the public who have any information related to this incident are urged to come forward and assist in the investigation by contacting the Manjung District Police Headquarters operations room at 05-688 6222, the WhatsApp hotline at 017-682 8005, or any nearby police station,” he said.

He stated that the case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — A man was found dead inside a vacant two-storey building on Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar in Ipoh, Perak, on Tuesday.

According to The Star, Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the discovery was made after police requested assistance to gain entry into the locked premises at about 1.25pm.

He said a team from the Ipoh Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene six minutes later and found the building’s entrance secured with a locked metal grille.

Firefighters then used a power saw to cut through the grille before entering the building.

Sabarodzi said that upon entering the premises, they found a man on the first floor.

The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene by police.

The body was subsequently handed over to the authorities for further action.

The operation, involving six firefighters and five police personnel, ended at 1.55pm.

IPOH, June 13 — Buildings constructed without planning permission are illegal and will not be allowed access to water or electricity supplies, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said.

He said the policy was intended to prevent the emergence of illegal settlements, including those linked to foreign communities such as the Rohingya.

“The issue of Rohingya refugees falls under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department, which conducts regular inspections and enforcement operations.

“However, the government’s policy is clear. Anyone entering the country, whether on humanitarian grounds or as a refugee, must obtain government approval,” he told reporters after visiting an unclaimed money mobile counter here today.

Nga was commenting on reports of an unauthorised four-storey building constructed by the Rohingya community in a remote area of Sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Meanwhile, he said the government had revoked 26,108 business licences operated by foreign nationals through 4,000 enforcement operations carried out nationwide as of May this year.

“Foreign nationals are not allowed to run businesses or hold business licences. They may work as employees, but they cannot own businesses,” he said.

Nga added that local authorities nationwide had been directed to step up enforcement efforts, while urging the public to report the presence of illegal immigrants or any suspicious activities to the authorities.

On the unclaimed money campaign, he said RM13 billion is currently available for claim and encouraged the public to check their status.

“The process is simple. Citizens only need to bring their identity card and a bank statement,” he said.

Nga said the initiative is in line with Section 13(1) of the Unclaimed Moneys Act 1965, under which funds left untouched for more than seven years are transferred to the Unclaimed Moneys Account managed by the Accountant General’s Department.

“The money belongs to the rightful owners, but many are unaware that they have unclaimed funds,” he added.

“Starting this week, we will launch the campaign beginning in the Kepayang state constituency, with Pakatan Harapan elected representatives visiting constituencies across Perak to assist the public in reclaiming their money,” he said. — Bernama

IPOH, June 15 — Showing restraint when dealing with Rohingya refugees who violate local laws and regulations should not be mistaken for a sign of weakness, but rather as an expression of compassion and humanity, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said.

Saarani said Rohingya refugees holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards are subject to international law and should be treated appropriately while residing in Malaysia.

“I welcome the reminder from the federal government that while taking action on these matters, there must also be room for humanitarian considerations.

“Because of that, sometimes people see us as weak. Actually, we are not weak; we are being humane,” he told a press conference after attending the ‘Meet Consumer Day’ programme at the Indera Mulia Stadium here.

He said the state government hoped the Rohingya community would understand and appreciate the humanitarian approach extended to them and refrain from violating local laws and regulations.

Saarani said some Rohingya refugees had become increasingly bold as their community grew larger, with some allegedly engaging in business activities despite regulations prohibiting them from doing so.

He added that some of these businesses were operating from premises owned by local citizens who preferred to rent out their shops rather than run businesses themselves.

“Many of these cases actually fall under the jurisdiction of local councils. When a business licence is issued to a local citizen, it cannot be transferred to another person, whether a local or a foreigner.

“Doing so is an offence, and the local authority has the power to revoke the business licence,” he said.

Saarani cited markets in Selayang and several areas in Perak, particularly Manjung, where he said some members of the Rohingya community appeared to have exceeded the boundaries set by state regulations.

“We cannot allow that,” he said.

He reminded the Rohingya community that the people of Perak were prepared to continue extending compassion and humanitarian support, but warned that such kindness should not be repaid with actions that could lead to riots, fights or violations of established rules.

Saarani also stressed that expelling Rohingya refugees was not a straightforward solution, as many had fled conflict and persecution in their homeland.

“In reality, they cannot simply be expelled. The question is, where would they be sent?

“If their country were peaceful and their homes and villages were safe and comfortable, they would not have come here in the first place,” he said.

He added that many Rohingya refugees who returned to their homeland found their homes destroyed and family members subjected to abuse, which was why Malaysians should continue to show sympathy and compassion towards them.

IPOH, June 6 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing in the Gunung Batu Putih area, has entered its 14th day without any new leads, although the search has continued on a smaller scale since Thursday.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said that throughout the operation, several items were found at various locations such as river areas, hill slopes and the paths taken, but after verification, it was confirmed that these items did not belong to the victim.

He said that as of Thursday, eight members of the Special, Tactical and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) and two Forest Mountain Guides (MGP) were still involved in the search sector location, and all of them safely exited at 11.30 am.

“Yesterday, there were five search teams consisting of members from the Forestry Department and MGP who entered the search sector location.

“The group of Orang Asli community members who have been involved in the search since June 3 are still in the search sector, but it is reported that there have been no findings so far,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Sabarodzi said that so far, the Perak JBPM had received many volunteer applications to participate in the joint search, but through screening and coordination with Forestry Department officers, some applications had to be rejected.

“Among them (the factors for application rejection) are compliance with SOP (standard operating procedures), unsuitable time periods, insufficient equipment and facilities, as well as several other criteria,” he said.

However, he said that at the same time, there were also groups that had been allowed to participate in the search after their applications met the specified criteria.

In the meantime, through Facebook, the Perak JBPM also showed several search methods that have been carried out, including searches or reviews at several identified potential locations based on the information and clues obtained, as well as reciting the call to prayer.

In addition, the Perak JBPM also had to present the actual scenario to the public, especially to those who have never climbed a mountain or traversed thick forest paths like those at Gunung Batu Putih.

“What looks easy on the map or in pictures actually demands physical strength, mental endurance and high levels of experience. Steep, slippery, rocky paths filled with tree roots, rivers, and ravines become the main challenges that the SAR teams have to face every day,” according to the post.

Previously, the female climber was reported to have started the Trans Spencer Chapman trek at 2 am on May 23, along with 13 other individuals and two MGPs, via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.

Jaslinda and another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health issues and stopped climbing, however, the supply chain executive at a private company was reported to have continued the journey to the mountain peak and was last seen on May 24. — Bernama

IPOH, June 12 — Police have arrested a 30-year-old man suspected of raping his ex-girlfriend and the subsequent killing of her most recent partner in Perak Tengah.

Perak police chief Commissioner Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspect was detained at the Perlis Sentral Bus Terminal in Kangar at about 3.45pm yesterday following intelligence leads, The Star reported today.

“The rape and murder case has been solved with the arrest,” Alwi was quoted as saying.

He added that the suspect has been remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with investigations ongoing under Sections 302 and 376 of the Penal Code.

Section 302 is for murder while Section 376 is for rape and sexual assault.

Investigators believe the suspect had raped his ex-girlfriend, 25, after they met near a paddy field along Jalan Trans Perak here on June 9.

The woman later returned home, before her 29-year-old partner confronted the suspect early the next morning.

A confrontation ensued after the 29-year-old allegedly rammed the suspect’s vehicle during a car chase along Jalan Trans Perak.

According to Alwi, the suspect then stabbed the 29-year-old in the abdomen after both exited their vehicles, before fleeing the scene in the victim’s car.

The 29-year-old man was later found unconscious and pronounced dead at a clinic in Kampung Gajah.

Police also recovered a knife believed to have been used in the attack, which was discarded in a dustbin in Kangar.