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Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
PM instructs police to look into travel ban on Fahmi Reza
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ( pic ) has instructed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to look into the travel ban imposed on activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza. The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement today that the MADANI government upholds individual freedom as long as they do not compromise national security or violate existing laws, Advertisement "As such, the police must provide further clarification regarding this matter. "The Prime Minister's Office will continue to monitor the situation accordingly,' it added. The media yesterday reported that Fahmi was banned from travelling abroad after a similar ban was also imposed on him in Sabah last week. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Fentanyl abuse rising in Klang Valley, Johor; police expand testing nationwide
KUALA LUMPUR: The abuse of fentanyl — also known as the "zombie drug" and up to 100 times more potent than morphine — is believed to be spreading in Malaysia, particularly in the Klang Valley and Johor. This finding is based on forensic analysis by the police and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on urine samples from suspected drug users. The data indicates a higher prevalence of fentanyl use in the Klang Valley compared to Johor. Previously, urine sampling was conducted across 14 districts — including five police districts in Penang, six in Kuala Lumpur, and one each in Ipoh, Petaling Jaya, and Johor Baru Selatan. Wastewater sampling was also carried out at three sites: Lembah Subang in Petaling Jaya; Desa Aman (police senior officers' housing) in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur; and Bukit Tunku in the capital. Areas were selected based on the presence of suspected illegal substance abusers living nearby. Due to the small number of urine samples collected, a clearer picture is needed — which authorities aim to achieve through expanded collection from suspects in the near future. To obtain a more comprehensive overview, the police plans to conduct urine analysis in 157 districts nationwide over the next 18 months. This initiative takes into account key factors such as operational costs, time constraints, and geographical challenges across districts. The aim is to ensure balanced and representative findings to enhance the effectiveness of drug prevention and enforcement efforts. Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Kassim, head of the Strategic Cooperation Programme for Educational and Research Activities between the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and UKM, said the collaboration serves as a key platform to strengthen law enforcement and implement an integrated, ongoing response to drug abuse. He said the partnership was aimed at enhancing the police's ability to detect emerging drugs on the market, monitor their spread, identify high-risk areas based on drug type, and provide strategic insights into illegal drug activity in targeted zones. Through this initiative, they are monitoring over 100 high-risk substances, including fentanyl. Currently, the laboratory operates only at UKM but is set to expand to other states soon. He added that the lab can deliver detailed information within 48 hours. "Data from lab analyses will be crucial for mapping high-risk areas for drug abuse, and also support more targeted and high-impact enforcement strategies, and strengthen prosecution with solid scientific evidence. "The analysis will also raise public awareness and support early intervention programmes, including providing empirical data to enhance national drug prevention policies," he said. Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, during a recent visit to UKM, said wastewater analysis in the Klang Valley — before proceeding to Johor — indicated increasing fentanyl use. Fentanyl is a controlled substance used only in medical settings, mainly as an anaesthetic injection or a powerful painkiller. It is administered via injection, transdermal patches, or sublingual tablets, and its use is strictly regulated, prescribed only by medical specialists in extremely low doses. Just two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to stop a person's breathing within minutes. Accidental small doses can lead to respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and sudden death. Dr Mohamad Halim Mohamad Shariff, a senior lecturer and addiction neuroscientist at Universiti Teknologi Mara's Faculty of Health Sciences, warned that fentanyl is a silent poison now infiltrating Malaysia's black market and poses a severe public health threat. "The rapid spread of fentanyl and its analogues is extremely concerning. "Its easily modified chemical structure allows illicit manufacturers to create new variants that may escape existing legal detection," he said. He added that the danger is compounded when fentanyl is unknowingly mixed with other drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, or cocaine. "This greatly increases the risk of sudden death, as users may be unaware they're overdosing. "Fentanyl not only causes addiction but also damages multiple internal organs," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
No drugs in ‘halal' vapes, says group
Malaysian Retail Electronic Cigarette Association president Adzwan Manas said the decision by several states to ban the sale of vapes is misguided and potentially counterproductive. PETALING JAYA : Vape retailers are calling on the government to focus on the abuse of unregistered vape products not regulated by the health ministry, which they say is the real issue affecting the sector, rather than the legal sale of vape products. Malaysian Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA) president Adzwan Manas said the decision by several states to ban the sale of vape was misguided and potentially counterproductive as it could lead to a surge in illegal products entering the black market. 'The ban is unjustified because vape products sold at licensed premises do not contain drugs. Drug-laced products are not available at registered vape shops – they're found on the black market,' Adzwan told FMT. 'The issue of drug abuse stems from unregulated vape products, not those monitored by the health ministry. People with drug-laced vapes are getting them from the black market.' Deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said last month that 65% of vape samples tested contained banned substances, including methamphetamine and ecstasy. He said that state governments had the right to ban vape sales, citing a growing trend of vape being misused to deliver new synthetic drugs. He also urged all parties to work together to combat the issue, saying vape devices could be easily modified to include harmful substances. Johor and Kelantan have banned vape sales since 2016 and 2015 respectively. Terengganu and Perlis will enforce similar bans starting Aug 1, while Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka are still reviewing the proposal. Kedah has decided against a full ban but will no longer renew vape business licences after December. Adzwan said that banning the legal sale of vape products was not the right solution to the underlying problem, arguing that education, enforcement, and collaboration would be more effective. 'MRECA has reported the open sale of drugs on online platforms to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, but such advertisements continue to flourish. 'Regulation would be much easier if the authorities had data on all retailers. If there's credible evidence of sales to minors or other violations, licences can then be revoked,' he said. Adzwan also urged state governments to reconsider their bans, which he said went against the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. He said the act was intended to establish a comprehensive and effective regulatory framework for vape products, not to enforce a blanket ban.
Free Malaysia Today
14-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Lorry driver in fatal FRU crash remanded
The 45-year-old lorry driver being brought to the Teluk Intan magistrates' court for a remand hearing this morning. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The driver of the lorry involved in the crash that killed nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) members in Teluk Intan yesterday has been remanded for four days. The remand order was granted by magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman following an application by Hilir Perak police chief Bakri Zainal Abidin at the Teluk Intan magistrates' court, reported Utusan Malaysia. Bakri said the remand order would enable the driver to be probed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless driving. Yesterday, deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the lorry driver had six prior criminal convictions – one for drugs, one for rape, and four for theft. He said the 45-year-old suspect had also served time in prison for his offences. The final honours for the nine personnel were completed earlier this morning in accordance with police ceremonial protocol at the FRU Unit 5 base in Sungai Senam, Ipoh. The nine FRU members were killed when the lorry which was carrying gravel collided with the FRU truck in Teluk Intan yesterday morning. Two others were injured. Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident was caused by a steering wheel failure.
Rakyat Post
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
Lorry Driver Involved In FRU Crash Has Criminal Records, Including Rape
Subscribe to our FREE On the morning of 13 May 2025, a stone-laden lorry collided into a vehicle carrying members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and killed nine of them. The crash reportedly occurred due to a faulty steering wheel on the cargo truck. Amidst ongoing investigations, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay confirmed that the lorry driver involved in the crash has multiple criminal records related to drugs, theft, and rape, New Straits Times reported. 'All cases resulted in convictions. A urine test came back negative. Despite online claims that he had consumed ketum, no traces of ketum were found, and his urine tests were clean,' Ayob said during a press conference at the Hilir Perak police headquartes yesterday. The 45-year-old lorry driver is reported to be brought to court today (14 May) for a remand hearing. READ MORE: DPM says truck company must also be held accountable, not just the driver Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that the incident could have been 'Inital reports indicated there was a technical problem involving the lorry carrying a load of sand, which lost control due to a malfunctioning steering system. Therefore, we should not place the blame solely on the lorry driver, but also hold the owner of the lorry company accountable. 'In this situation, strict inspections must be carried out, as well as urine tests and checks for alcohol use,' he told reporters after chairing the Cabinet Committee meeting on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion. READ MORE: READ MORE: READ MORE: A dark day repeats itself Coincidentally, the fatal crash happened on the 56th anniversary of Malaysia's most brutal racial riot, which also involved FRU officers. In 1969, the infamous May 13 incident forced the government to deploy members of the FRU, which is directly under control of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The riots came in the aftermath of Malaysia's 1969 General Elections, where violent conflicts between the Malays, Chinese, and Indians occurred openly in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. The trouble began when opposition parties Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Malaysian People's Movement Party (Gerakan) cut heavily into the Alliance Party's (the ruling coalition at the time) majority in parliamentary elections. The riots began at dusk, beginning with fistfights that escalated into armed conflicts. Image: Perdana Leadership Foundation FRU officers were despatched alongside the Malaysian Army to control the emergency. The government officially announced the number of casualties as 196, although international sources suggested a death toll of Image: Democracy Without Consensus: Communalism and Political Stability in Malaysia by Karl Von Vorys Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
