Latest news with #BuletinUtama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Youngsters dripping magic mushroom extract on cigarettes
KUALA LUMPUR: Magic mushroom extracts are now being consumed not only through vape liquids but also by applying them directly to cigarette tobacco, Buletin Utama reported. Malaysian Substance Abuse Council (Masac) secretary-general Raja Azizan Suhaimi said the trend marks a troubling shift in drug habits, with youths dripping the psychoactive liquid onto cigarettes, complicating enforcement efforts. "They're no longer just using vapes. Some are dripping these liquids onto cigarettes," he said. Raja Azizan said enforcement is futile if authorities focus solely on vape devices and ignore the contents sold openly in shops. He said Masac had received complaints from parents about legal loopholes, particularly due to gaps in the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952. "Even if arrests are made, it's pointless because their urine tests come back negative. As long as the substances are not officially gazetted, they won't be detected by test strips," he said. Raja Azizan warned that the enforcement gap hinders legal action, as current test kits detect only substances listed under Health Ministry schedules. According to police data, a total of 87 new psychoactive substances were listed under Acts 234 and 366 between 2015 and 2024, 43 under the Dangerous Drugs Act and 44 under the Poisons Act. However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has identified more than 1,245 such substances globally. Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaki Ashar said they are hoping that all these dangerous chemicals can be registered. "Once registered, we can test for them in urine and blood, making enforcement more effective," he said. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is being urged to play a stronger role in regulating vape liquids currently sold in the market, especially to prevent the abuse of such products by drug syndicates. However, the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli cautioned against generalising the issue and placing blanket blame on the vape industry. "Just because some have abused vapes by mixing in drugs, it doesn't mean everyone is doing the same. "For the majority, electronic cigarettes are an alternative to tobacco. Abuse involving children must certainly be addressed, but it's heartbreaking when all vape users are perceived as drug addicts," the group added. For the record, the vape industry was estimated to be worth over RM3.48 billion in 2023, involving more than 7,500 premises and over 31,500 workers.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Drug-laced vape liquid, called 'Magic Mushroom', sold to teens from just RM1
KUALA LUMPUR: Illicit vape liquids containing synthetic drugs, including a psychoactive substance known as "Magic Mushroom", are being sold for as little as RM1 per drop, and are fast gaining popularity among school students, TV3's Buletin Utama reported today. A 17-year-old teenager, who identified himself only as Zul, revealed that he became addicted to the substance at age 14, a year after he began vaping at 13. "I tried it because a friend offered it to me in the school toilet," he said. Zul said the drug-laced vape liquid was sold by the drop. "Each drop costs around RM1. A 1ml bottle is priced at RM20, while 2ml can go up to RM30 or RM40, depending on who's selling and how good you are at bargaining," he added. His addiction escalated to the point where, after his mother stopped giving him pocket money, he resorted to stealing to fund his cravings. "When the craving kicks in, there's no such thing as saving money. If you don't have cash, you have to steal. That's the last resort." In a similar case, another teen, Hasiq (not real name), also became addicted due to peer pressure and the easy availability of the substance. Now undergoing treatment at the National Narcotics Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Karangan, Kedah, Hasiq described the devastating effects of the drug. "I tried it at first because it smelled nice. It was just RM10. After that, I felt like my life was stuck on repeat. I would sleep for 24 hours straight. Even when I woke up, I felt half-conscious. Once the effect wore off, I would go out, buy more, come home, and sleep again." Hasiq is among 22 minors currently undergoing treatment at the centre, which has reported a rise in cases involving vape addiction linked to synthetic drugs. Parents of the affected teenagers expressed frustration and anger over how easily the substance is being sold — sometimes even at regular convenience stores. One mother recounted confronting her child about where he had obtained the drug. "I asked my son, and he just said, 'Right here, RM25.' So my husband and I went to the shop he pointed out. It looked like an ordinary store." "I've filed a police report, but checks revealed no illegal items. Still, I went back to the shop myself and saw what was going on. I'm furious. If possible, I want places like this shut down. But no one is taking action. If this continues, more children will fall victim." Authorities have yet to comment on the specific cases, but the growing trend of vape-related drug abuse among Malaysian youths has prompted urgent calls for tighter regulation and proactive enforcement against the sale of illegal vape liquids - particularly those laced with psychoactive substances.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Man on the run for 12 years charged with nightclub bouncer murder
BUTTERWORTH: A car accessories worker who had been on the run for 12 years was charged in the magistrate's court yesterday with the murder of a nightclub bouncer in 2013. Ooi Chin Leng, 38, nodded in acknowledgement as the charge was read to him in Mandarin before magistrate Aini Adilah Faizal. However, no plea was recorded, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Ooi, along with an accomplice who is still at large, is accused of murdering Fouzi Hussen, 24, at Taman Desa Murni in Sungai Dua at 5.25am on Jan 24, 2013, Buletin Utama reported. The charge against Ooi was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years upon conviction. If not sentenced to death, the offender may also receive a minimum of 12 strokes of the rotan. Deputy public prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin appeared for the prosecution, while Ooi was not represented. Nurameera requested the court to set a date for Ooi's DNA profiling, citing the long gap between the crime and his recent arrest. Magistrate Aini Adilah set July 23 for mention.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Driver of Axia wedged between lorries after going against traffic charged
JOHOR BARU: A man, whose vehicle was wedged between two lorries after driving against the traffic, was charged with reckless driving in the magistrates' court yesterday. S. Thaanesh, 26, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid, Buletin Utama reported. According to the charge sheet, the man, as the driver of a car, was accused of reckless driving against the flow of traffic at Km4, Jalan Gelang Patah–Ulu Choh here, at around 9am on May 9. He was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment 2020), which carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to RM15,000 for a first conviction. If found guilty, the accused may also face disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a minimum of five years, endorsement of the licence by the court, and cancellation of a probationary licence, if applicable. Deputy public prosecutor Amirah Tasnim Saleh offered bail at RM15,000 with one surety and proposed three additional conditions. The accused must report to the nearest police station once a month, surrender his passport to the court, and have his driving licence suspended until the case is resolved. Defence lawyer V. S. Selvanteran, representing the accused, requested a lower bail amount as his client runs a small business and supports his mother, who is a single parent. The court then granted bail of RM6,000 with one surety and imposed the three additional conditions requested by the prosecution. The case has been fixed for mention on June 20 for document submission.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Trailer carrying empty cooking gas cylinders crashes into railway bridge
KUALA KRAI: A trailer carrying 950 empty cooking gas cylinders crashed into the metal barrier of a railway bridge on Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra here on Sunday. The incident occurred at 3.21pm when the 4.3-metre-tall trailer attempted to pass under a structure with a maximum clearance of 4.1 metres, Buletin Utama reported. District police chief Superintendent Mazlan Mamat said the heavy vehicle was travelling from Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Baru, to Seremban and was heading towards the town centre when it struck the bridge barrier. "As a result of the collision, several gas cylinders were thrown onto the road, and one bounced towards a car on the opposite lane. "No injuries were reported," he said in a statement. He said the trailer driver was issued a summons under Rule 10 LN 166/59 for failing to control the vehicle. "If found guilty, the driver may face a fine of not less than RM2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months," he said. He also urged Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) to take immediate action regarding the barrier, noting that this was the second incident at the same location.
