Latest news with #MohdAlwi
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Hardware store owner held over inverted Jalur Gemilang
KEPALA BATAS: Police detained the owner of a hardware store after a viral video showed the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down in front of his shop here. Acting Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 59-year-old man was detained on Saturday night. He said police have so far received 16 reports over the incident – 12 lodged in the state and four outside Penang. 'The investigation papers will be referred to the Penang deputy public prosecutor's office tomorrow (today) with a proposed charge,' he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988. DCP Mohd Alwi said police viewed such acts seriously and reminded the public to respect the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of national sovereignty. On Saturday, a 21-second video went viral on social media showing two men at a hardware store who appeared to have deliberately hoisted the Jalur Gemilang upside down, drawing public outrage. Following this, several non-governmental organisations and Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican lodged police reports.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Hardware store owner detained for upside down Jalur Gemilang display
KEPALA BATAS: Police have detained a 59-year-old hardware store owner in Jalan Bertam Perdana after a viral video showed the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down outside his premises. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed the arrest was made last night in Kepala Batas. The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988. Mohd Alwi stated that investigation papers will be submitted to the Penang deputy public prosecutor's office with a proposed charge. Police have received 16 reports regarding the incident, with 12 lodged in Penang and four filed outside the state. Authorities emphasised the seriousness of such acts and urged the public to respect the Jalur Gemilang as a national symbol. A 21-second clip circulating on social media showed two men at the hardware store allegedly hoisting the flag upside down, sparking public outrage. Several NGOs and Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican lodged police reports over the incident. – Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Police arrest man over upside-down Jalur Gemilang incident
GEORGE TOWN: A 59-year-old man has been arrested over an incident involving the Jalur Gemilang displayed upside down on Saturday (Aug 9). State acting police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspect was detained on Saturday afternoon to assist investigations. "The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 10). DCP Mohd Alwi said police have received 16 reports nationwide, with 12 lodged in Penang and four outside the state. He said investigation papers would be submitted to the state Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office on Monday (Aug 11) with a recommendation for charges. He stressed that police view such acts seriously and will take firm action, while reminding the public to respect the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of national sovereignty. The footage is believed to have been recorded in Kepala Batas and prompted a report at the Kepala Batas police station at about 12.30 pm on Saturday (August 9). The 21-second video shows a man waving the Jalur Gemilang mounted upside down on a metal pole while another man films the act.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
RM2.34mil gone when woman makes 71 transfers to ‘lover' she never met
GEORGE TOWN: A woman made 71 bank transfers over 15 months, totalling RM2.34mil after being introduced to a man by her aunt. Penang acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 53-year-old programming manager at a factory in Bayan Lepas lodged a report on July 8. He said the victim's aunt introduced the victim to a man who claimed to be a Singaporean named Perry Chen, living in Ottawa, Canada. 'The suspect met the victim's aunt during a seminar in Kuala Lumpur. Throughout their acquaintance, the victim and suspect only communicated via WhatsApp. 'In March 2024, the suspect claimed he was involved in an electrical grid installation project with the Oman government and sought her help to transfer money for raw materials, saying Internet access in Oman was unstable,' he said in a statement. Mohd Alwi said on Friday (Aug 8) that the victim then made transfers as instructed, but was told the transactions failed because they involved different countries. The suspect then asked her to pay bank service charges first, promising to reimburse her. 'She made 58 transfers between March 28 and Aug 18, 2024, totalling RM1.94mil, to nine local bank accounts given by the suspect,' he said. Mohd Alwi then added that in September 2024, the suspect told her he had deposited a cheque for US$404,500 into Heritage Asset Bank Oman to repay her. 'She was later contacted by someone claiming to be a Malaysian branch bank officer, who told her she needed to pay bank charges before the cheque could be cleared,' he said. Between Sept 25, 2024, and July 4 this year, she made another 13 transfers, amounting to RM399,407. She realised she had been duped when the suspect's explanations no longer made sense. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Mohd Alwi advised the public to be wary of scammers using fake relationships for financial gain. He said such scams cause financial losses and emotional trauma and urged people not to share personal or financial details with online acquaintances, especially if they ask for money or gifts. Mohd Alwi also advised using reverse image searches to verify photos. 'Do not keep online relationships a secret; share them with family or friends for advice,' he added. He called on the public to help combat online scams by sharing information on the latest modus operandi.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police wrapping up case of Iranians who robbed 'hypnotised' tourists in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Police are finalising investigation papers on the case of five Iranian nationals who were arrested for investigation into the alleged theft of money from foreign tourists around the George Town city centre last Saturday. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said all five, aged between 19 and 35, have finished their police remand and are currently being remanded by the Immigration Department until Aug 15. "Police are still conducting investigations from various angles including the possibility of their involvement in similar cases in other places (other states) however, there have been no findings so far. "Investigations so far show that they are involved in three cases reported in the George Town area and we are completing the investigation papers before it is sent to the deputy public prosecutor's office for further action," he said when contacted by Bernama today. He said police were also still waiting for a response from the Immigration Department to confirm the authenticity of the passports of the five Iranians, including a married couple, and records of their entry and exit in the country. Mohd Alwi said his party was investigating the cases under Section 379 of the Penal Code (for theft) and Section 380 the same act in addition to Section 6 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Last Saturday, police arrested the three men and two women at Plaza Gurney during Op Tourist to assist in the investigation into the theft of money from foreign tourists who were believed to have been swindled through trickery around the city centre, where the suspects are believed to possess expertise to swindle with sweet-talking skills to carry out the crime such as casting victims under a spell or a charm (pukau) before stealing their money. Police received three reports of cash theft involving tourists in a hypnosis scam (pukau) that occurred in the Pulau Tikus and Jalan Penang areas involving victims who were Taiwanese, Dutch and Syrian nationals, all aged between 29 and 52, in incidents from July 30 to Aug 1.
