Latest news with #PerhentianIsland
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Boat skipper in Perhentian capsizing that killed three admits drug use in court
BESUT, July 3 – The boat operator involved in last Saturday's capsizing incident that claimed the lives of three tourists off Perhentian Island has pleaded guilty to drug abuse at the Magistrates' Court here today. Kosmo! reported that the accused, Azrie Yazid, 22, entered the plea after the charge was read before Magistrate Nurliyana Md. Zukri. According to the charge, Azrie was accused of having ingested the drug Nimetazepam — a strong prescription medicine that helps people fall asleep and relax by calming the brain and muscles, but can be addictive. The offence was allegedly committed at the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division office of the Besut District Police Headquarters at 10.05am on 29 June. He was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both upon conviction. The court granted Azrie bail of RM2,500 with one surety. The case has been set for mention on 4 September to allow for the pathology report to be submitted. In the 10.30pm incident on Saturday, S. Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter A. Sarrvihka, and a 10-year-old relative, V. Vennpani, tragically lost their lives. Two others were injured, while 10 passengers survived the tragedy. All the boat passengers, aged between three and 40, were returning from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar after dinner, when their boat was suddenly struck by large waves, causing it to capsize. Bernama reported that Besut police chief Supt Azamuddin Ahmad@Abu confirmed that the boat skipper tested positive for drugs and has five prior records related to drug offences.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
A second shot at life — Terengganu's island jobs offer hope for parolees
JERTIH, May 25 — Employers in the tourism and hospitality sectors on Terengganu's resort islands are encouraged to hire inmates out on parole. Terengganu Prisons director Mohd Nasir Yusof said employers in various sectors have the opportunity to hire inmates categorised as parolees (ODP) and persons released on licence (OBB) through the Corporate Smart Internship for Parolees (CSI Parol) programme. This initiative aims to provide employment opportunities in different fields. 'A total of 720 inmates have participated in the CSI programme in the state, and of that number, about 500 individuals have been employed across various sectors. So far, 32 inmates are employed by three different employers on Redang Island, while five inmates are working for a single employer on Perhentian Island, he told reporters after opening the Community, OBB and Employers' awareness programme on Perhentian Island, near here, today. Mohd Nasir said the department aims for at least five employers in the sector to hire parolees this year. He added that employers and inmates can benefit from the programme. 'The inmates involved are those nearing release and have undergone thorough screening. They are also continuously monitored during their employment with the employer. 'The feedback we have received from tourism sector employers about the working inmates has been very positive, such as their good treatment of customers and zero criminal misconduct. In some cases, inmates who were fully released from prison were immediately offered permanent employment by the same employer. 'This programme also aims to educate the public, especially employers, to give these individuals a second chance to rebuild their lives, regain their self-confidence, and contribute positively to society,' he said. — Bernama
