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![Give me a sign of life, pleads mum of missing British teenager [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Give me a sign of life, pleads mum of missing British teenager [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: British teenager David Renz Balisong who has been missing since June 6 may look mature and book-smart, but when it comes to street smarts, he does not make the cut, this was the lament of his mother Minerva Balisong. Fearing for the safety of her 17-year-old son, the mother of three from the United Kingdom flew halfway across the world in search for David. "He might not want to be found," the 51-year-old Minerva said, her voice cracking during an interview with the New Straits Times. "But as a mother, all I want is a sign of life. It's okay if he's made certain choices. "We're not angry. The family just needs to know he's safe." David, the eldest of 3 children, left Manchester on June 6 and landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) the following day - all this without his family's knowledge. The teenager, who had always dreamt of becoming a cybersecurity expert, has been uncontactable since the day he landed in Kuala Lumpur. He, however, sent an email to his mother in Cheadle, Manchester on June 9, urging her not to waste her resources looking for him and told his family to "remain calm and take care", ending with he loves all of them. But Minerva, a critical care unit staff nurse with a private hospital in Manchester, is not convinced. She fears her son may have been groomed or influenced by someone, or a group online in the months leading up to his disappearance. "There were signs, only I didn't see them at the time. He's tech-savvy. Very clever. He knows how to disappear from the Internet." She said David had previously taken part in a short-term cybersecurity apprenticeship and was known for his ability to mask his digital presence. But what worried Minerva more were the unfamiliar clothes and mobile phone David had with him when police showed her CCTV footages from both airports, in the United Kingdom and KLIA. "It was clear from the footages he was calm, composed. He knew exactly what he was doing. But the phone he pulled out from his pocket wasn't the one we gave him. Even the clothes, they weren't his," she said. Back in the UK, bank records later revealed that David had made unusual purchases as early as March, including at a clothing store the family often visited together. He also left with 1,200 Pound Sterling. Her son had stopped attending school after May 4, but had continued to leave home and return daily as if he had. "We only found out after he went missing. We checked his bus pass. He would travel to the last stop, then return. I suspect he just wanted the free Wi-Fi and charging ports on the buses," she said. Minerva arrived in Kuala Lumpur on July 12. Her sister from Canada followed shortly to help look for David. Her other sister, from the Philippines, is now with her in Kuala Lumpur as they continue scouring the streets of KL for the teenager. "We've met with members of the Filipino community here, attended different churches these past two Sundays to raise awareness. Everyone has been kind and supportive," Minerva, who is Filipino, said. She said she received two credible sightings of David — one from a restaurant operator and a cook in Kota Raya, who claimed the teen was seen dining with four Filipino men, and another from a woman who encountered a boy matching his description at Ikea Damansara in the first week of July. "I believe it was him. The way they described his face, his gestures… I just know it was David," she said, adding that she had reported both sightings to the local authorities. Together with a friend and her sister, Minerva scoured Changkat Bukit Bintang last Saturday until the early hours of the morning, hoping to spot her son but to no avail. She and her sister had also distributed flyers but was asked to stop by the police. Minerva insisted there were no arguments, no signs of rebellion, or any family tensions that could explain David's sudden disappearance. "There was no fight, no shouting match, no depression that we were aware of. "It came like a tsunami, no warning at all. David is a good boy. He goes to school, comes home. He has a few close friends. Not a social butterfly, but I wouldn't call him a loner. He's quiet but engaging when spoken to," Minerva said. "We're not here to drag him back or shame him. We just want to know he's okay," she said softly. Minerva and her sisters will remain in Malaysia for as long as they can, holding on to hope that David might see their pleas or someone might recognise him and reach out. David's disappearance is being investigated by KLIA police. The New Straits Times has contacted them for a response.
Mint
14 hours ago
- Mint
10 Indians denied entry into Malaysia after arriving at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Here's why
Ten Indian nationals were refused entry into Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) despite the country's ongoing visa-free travel policy for Indian passport holders, MalayMail reported. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) carried out a seven-hour immigration operation at Terminal 1 of KLIA on Friday, targeting passengers from high-risk flights. According to officials, more than 400 travellers were screened during the operation. Of the 99 foreign nationals denied entry, 80 were from Bangladesh, 10 from India, and 9 from Pakistan. All were men, the authorities said. In a statement, AKPS confirmed, 'They were denied as they failed to meet immigration checks, including having suspicious reasons for visiting and travel records.' The agency added that those refused entry were taken through additional documentation procedures before being deported to their home countries as per legal protocols. The checks included background screenings, examination of travel documents, and individual interviews. AKPS said such operations will be carried out regularly to 'curb misuse of social visit passes and prevent human trafficking.' The incident comes shortly after Malaysia extended its visa-free entry scheme for Indian citizens until 31 December 2026. Under the policy, Indian tourists are allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa. The Malaysian government hopes that easing entry requirements will help boost tourism and support economic growth.
News18
17 hours ago
- News18
Despite Visa-Free Entry, Malaysia Denies 10 Indians Over Suspicious Travel Records
Last Updated: The Indian travellers were among 99 foreign arrivals who were refused entry on Friday after failing to meet immigration requirements Malaysia denied entry to 10 Indian nationals at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) recently, despite offering visa-free access to Indian passport holders. The Indian travellers were among 99 foreign arrivals who were refused entry on Friday after failing to meet immigration requirements. According to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), a special seven-hour operation was carried out to screen over 400 passengers arriving on high-risk flights. Among the 99 foreign nationals denied entry at the airport, there were also 80 Bangladeshis and nine Pakistanis. The reason for denial was that these individuals did not satisfy immigration checks, including having suspicious reasons for their visit and questionable travel records. All those refused entry were men, Malay Mail reported. 'Those denied entry were all men, 80 Bangladeshi, 10 Indians and nine Pakistani. They were denied as they failed to meet immigration checks, including having suspicious reasons for visiting and travel records," a statement by the AKPS said. The agency further explained that detailed background screenings, travel document verification, and individual interviews were conducted during the operation. Those denied entry were subjected to further documentation processes before being deported back to their countries of origin, following standard legal procedures. 'They underwent further documentation processes before being deported to their countries of origin according to existing legal procedures," it said. AKPS emphasised that such enforcement actions would be carried out periodically as a proactive measure to combat human trafficking and misuse of social visit passes. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Woman nabbed at KLIA with nine exotic animals in luggage
SEPANG: A woman has been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle nine exotic animals worth an estimated RM127,000 out of the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport's (KLIA) Terminal 1. The 39-year-old local, who was travelling to India, was arrested at 9.30pm on Monday (July 28) after Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) officers conducted a routine baggage check and found nine wild animals in her checked luggage. "Among the animals seized were four ... siamang and (four) sugar gliders, and one ... macaque. "These animals are protected species and it is believed they were being smuggled for illegal international trade," AKPS said in a statement on Tuesday (July 29). The statement said the woman was taken to the KLIA police station for further investigation. The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008. – Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Stranded umrah pilgrims return home after four days in Jeddah
SEPANG: Thirty-nine Malaysian umrah pilgrims who were stranded in Jeddah for four days due to their travel agency's failure to provide return flight tickets have safely returned home. The group arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 11.32am today on Malaysia Airlines flight MH157 from Jeddah, which departed at 9pm Saudi time. Among them was Nazira Frijand Ali, 48, from Kulai, Johor, who said she and her husband had paid over RM12,000 for a "golden" package, only to be let down by undelivered promises. "I could have bought my own return ticket, but I couldn't bear to leave the other pilgrims, especially the elderly. We had become like family," she said, adding that she plans to file a police report and seek compensation from the agency. Firabib Group Sdn Bhd managing director Mohd Firdaus Mat Akhir stepped in to finance the group's return, covering RM71,370 for 39 flight tickets, including one for a mutawif. "I have no affiliation with the company managing the group and never agreed to any reimbursement. I helped purely out of compassion," he said. The group's mutawif, Muhammad Abu Sufyan Mohd Mokhtar Rozaidi also known as PU Abu denied being a partner of the agency and said he had only been working with them since 2023. "In Jeddah, I did what I could to help the pilgrims get home. I'm grateful others stepped in. I've decided to resign, as the company is now facing financial trouble," he said. Previously, 43 pilgrims were reported stranded in Jeddah after the agency, Persada Global Holidays Sdn Bhd, failed to provide return flight tickets upon completion of their umrah. On Sunday, Berita Harian reported that the agency's managing director, Shahir Ibrahim, admitted all the pilgrims were under the company's care but said they were unable to arrange return flights due to financial difficulties.
