
Bukit Aman nabs two over KLIA Haj scam, denies detaining stranded pilgrims
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Commissioner Datuk Muhammad Hasbullah Ali also refuted a news article claiming the detention of the aforementioned pilgrim group for using tourist visas to enter Mecca on June 2.
'In the incident which took place, 'Op Haji Terkandas' personnel detected the presence of a pilgrim group at KLIA waiting for someone with the title 'Datuk'.
'This individual was believed to be responsible for handing over their relevant visas for the pilgrimage. However, those visas were never obtained,' he said in a statement here.
Subsequently, a couple that had surrendered their passports to two individuals offering free Haj packages lodged a report.
This was after their promised flight to Mecca on June 1 failed to materialise and the travel agency did not provide any other flight confirmation as of June 3.
The complainants also told the police they were worried their personal details and passports would be misused.
'A total of seven reports have been linked to this agency. No monetary losses were reported as the packages were offered without charge,' he said.
Muhammad Hasbullah said the suspects detained were aged 36 and 39.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Focus Malaysia
22 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
'Arrest Akmal for sowing seeds of racial discord, instigating mob justice, stirring dissent'
THIS is no longer normal. The behaviour of UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has dangerously crossed into perilous territory – inciting division and legitimising violent vigilantism. It is time for the police to arrest Akmal. Malaysia's national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, is a symbol of federal integrity, unity and respect. It should unite Malaysians, not become a weapon in political theatrics. Yet, Akmal has wielded it to create fear and division. In Penang, he threatened 'to educate' a shop owner publicly for unintentionally hoisting the flag upside down unless charges were pressed. He incited his followers online 'to visit' the shop owner – an act thar could lead to violence. Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) Malaysia denounced Akmal's act as 'bullying, vigilantism and a public call for mob action'. But hypocritically, Akmal remained silent when the Terengganu UMNO Youth circulated a campaign poster featuring a Jalur Gemilang flag with only 12 stripes instead of 14 – a clear act of disrespect. His double standard is absolutely shocking: Akmal demanded apologies and legal action in one case but tolerated mistakes within his own political party. Such inconsistency reveals that Akmal's outrage is selective against Malaysia's minority communities, not principled or universal. Long arm of the law This is not harmless political grandstanding – it is a threat to public order and potentially violent. His selective anger sends this message: some mistakes are punishable by public shaming, others are ignored if politically expedient. This paves the way for vigilantism and legitimises intimidation. Malaysians deserve respect for institutions, not fear of retribution. Worse still, Akmal's actions have tangible consequences. A recent controversy – his boycott call against KK Super Mart over 'Allah inscription on socks' – provoked extremist responses, including violent petrol-bomb attacks on multiple KK Mart outlets. When a public figure stirs fervent sentiment without accountability, people get harmed. Adding to this troubling pattern, he has recently made remarks derogating OKU (people with disabilities) by showing a disregard for their dignity and rights of some of Malaysia's most vulnerable citizens. Let us never forget our legal protections: Malaysian law punishes reckless incitement. Under Section 504 of the Penal Code, any act or speech that intentionally insults or provokes and is likely to breach the peace may incur up to two years' imprisonment, a fine or both. In addition, under the Sedition Act 1948, any statement with a 'seditious tendency' – including those that create hostility between races or undermine the authority of government – can lead to imprisonment of up to three years, a fine or both. The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) and the police should be urged to act now – not to silent dissent but to shield Malaysians from political opportunism that risks unity and public safety. Holding politicians accountable regardless of stature or title, protects the sanctity of our national symbols and the cohesion of our society. Arrest Akmal. Let the justice system – fair, fearless and neutral – deliver judgment. Malaysia's harmony depends on it. – Aug 14, 2025 Corruption Watch is a reader of Focus Malaysia. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image credit: N19 Jason Hng 方美铼 இங் மூய் லாய்/Facebook

Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Two Chinese nationals charged with spying after flying drone near KL security building
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Police have arrested two Chinese nationals suspected of trespassing into a security forces building area, which is a restricted zone here, on August 6. Wangsa Maju district police chief ACP Mohammad Lazim Ismail said the two men, in their 20s, were arrested while flying a drone at the football field near the building. According to him, the pair were detained by security personnel before being handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters. 'Some items such as drones and memory cards were also seized,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. Mohammad Lazim said the two nationals, who had valid travel documents, claimed the drone footage was taken at the direction of their employers, but they did not know the motive or purpose of the recording. He said the two individuals were charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday under Sections 3(a) and 4 of the Official Secrets Act for spying and documenting within restricted areas. He added that both accused pleaded not guilty after the charges were read in Mandarin, and Judge Izralizam Sanusi did not allow bail and set September 11 for the appointment of lawyers and submission of documents. — Bernama


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
4 men get good behaviour bond, 1 fined RM600 over football brawl
A viral video of the brawl showed players trading blows at Padang Speedy in Teluk Intan, Perak, on Aug 7. PETALING JAYA : The Teluk Intan magistrates' court released four men on a good behaviour bond while another man was slapped with a RM600 fine over their involvement in a brawl during a football match last week. Magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman ordered a six-month good behaviour bond for Harith Nazreen Shah Abd Ghani, 21, Danial Asmawi, 23, R Tharmaraj, 28, and E Paranitharan, 29, after they pleaded guilty to committing affray. The four men, who were playing in the match, were charged along with another person still at large with committing the offence at Padang Speedy in Teluk Intan between 5.15pm and 6pm on Aug 7, Harian Metro reported. The charges were framed under Section 160 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to six months in prison, a maximum RM1,000 fine, or both if convicted. Deputy public prosecutor Nur Darwis Aghniya Halim Azizi had asked the court to impose a commensurate sentence to serve as a deterrent to the public, stating that the incident had gone viral online. M Saravanan of the National Legal Aid Foundation, who served as lawyer for Harith and Danial, said the guilty pleas had saved the court's time and all four had since made up and become friends. 'They shook hands and have apologised to each other. They humbly request the court to be given a second chance,' he said, adding that this was the first offence for all four men. The court then ordered all four to sign a RM500 good behaviour bond for six months. Tharmaraj and Paranitharan were represented by lawyers Charan Singh and S Morgan respectively. The court then imposed a fine of RM600 on another man, Kuzairin Kamaruddin, 31, after he pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt to a referee at the same match. He will have to serve two months in prison if he fails to pay the fine. Kuzairin was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of a year's imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.