Latest news with #RM10
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Johor Customs seizes 3.825kg of ganja in two major drug busts
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Customs Department has foiled two drug distribution attempts involving a total of 3.825kg of ganja. Its director, Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi, said the first case took place on May 21 in Pekan Nenas near Pontian, where the department's narcotics officers uncovered an attempt to distribute cannabis via a local courier service. 'During a detailed inspection of two parcels, our officers discovered compressed plant materials suspected to be ganja, weighing approximately 130g and 97g respectively,' he said here on Wednesday (July 16). Aminul Izmeer added that the seizure led to the arrest of a man believed to be the delivery agent. 'The suspect's arrest resulted in the discovery of a black bag containing another 55g of ganja, three bottles of cannabis smoking paraphernalia and a grinder. 'The total seizure for the case amounted to 762g of cannabis with an estimated street value of RM22,860,' he said, adding that the department also seized a RM10,000 motorcycle from the suspect. Aminul Izmeer said the syndicate's modus operandi involved using courier services to move drugs discreetly to avoid detection from authorities. Meanwhile, in another case, which occurred on June 5, the department's marine unit in Batu Pahat foiled an attempt to smuggle cannabis via illegal maritime routes. 'Acting on a tip-off, enforcement officers raided an unregistered boat moored near the mangrove swamp around the Batu Pahat Ferry Terminal at about 8pm. 'The inspection led to the discovery of a bag containing three compressed blocks of ganja wrapped in Chinese tea packaging, hidden in the front section of the boat,' he said. Aminul Izmeer added that the seized drugs weighed 3.063kg and were valued at RM98,016, while the unregistered boat, worth RM4,000, was also seized. He said the smugglers had used illegal waterways to traffic the drugs, and both cases were being probed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Aminul Izmeer urged the public to work together with the Customs Department to curb all forms of smuggling activities, including drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and vehicles. 'Smuggling activities not only cause revenue loss to the government but also pose serious security and safety threats to the public,' he said. He added that those with information on smuggling activities should contact the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or reach out to the nearest Customs office and assured them that their identities would be kept confidential.
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Media council opens membership sign-up next month
PUTRAJAYA: Membership registration for the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) will take place from early August to the end of September, with a nominal fee of RM10, say the council's founding board members. Applications can be submitted at the council said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. 'Membership is open to media owners, professionals, individuals and organisations involved in the media ecosystem, as well as those representing the public's interest,' the statement read. This was announced after members of the founding board received their letters of appointment from Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic). The MMC also announced that its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled to take place on Nov 7 in Kuala Lumpur. At the AGM, new board members will be elected and key matters will be discussed, including the membership fee structure, the industry's code of ethics, the complaints mechanism, the annual budget and MMC's bylaws. At its first meeting, the founding board appointed Premesh Chandran as interim chairperson, pending the election of a full board later this year. As an independent self-regulatory body for Malaysia's media industry, the MMC is expected to play a pivotal role in promoting ethical and responsible journalism, establishing the industry code of ethics and serving as a bridge between the media, government and the public. 'The MMC will enhance professionalism in the media industry and protect public interest within an increasingly complex media environment,' MMC added. MMC said its structure is designed to ensure broad representation, with the founding board consisting of elected representatives from media publishers, media professionals and public interest groups, including academics and members of civil society. 'Additionally, the government may appoint two representatives. Notably, the MMC Act 2025 stipulates that at least 25% of board members must come from Sabah and Sarawak, and leadership of the Council must reflect gender parity – a first in Malaysia,' it said. In the same statement, founding board member Phyllis Wong, representing Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo, expressed her honour at being entrusted with this responsibility. She felt encouraged by the collective commitment to uphold media ethics and accountability, even though the MMC is not yet fully operational.
Focus Malaysia
18 hours ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
MCA: 'Smart Parking System should not harm but protect local govt authorities, Malaysian citizens'
AN MCA leader has expressed concern over the recent decision by the Selangor state government to implement the Smart Intelligent Parking (SIP) system across four local councils starting Aug 1, saying the approach, aimed at addressing the issue of low parking fee collection, appears to have been poorly thought through. Its vice president Datuk Lawrence Low said this in response to Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim's announcement of the concession deal during the Selangor state assembly sitting last week. Ng had said that the state was implementing the SIP system to modernise on-street parking using Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing local councils to focus on other duties. The agreement, signed in March, involves four local councils, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA). '(Ng) stated that the privatisation is part of the state's strategy to combat the low parking collection rate, which currently stands at only 30 per cent across 1,000 designated parking bays,' said Low. 'However, the pressing question remains: why hasn't the state government tackled the underlying issues within the local government authorities (PBT)? 'There are various avenues to explore, such as improving mobile applications, strengthening enforcement, offering staff incentives, or even revising local PBT regulations.' Low cautioned that while privatisation may seem like a quick fix, it comes at a significant cost, whereby local PBTs are now required to share 50% of their revenue with the SIP operator Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd. 'This revenue is crucial for PBTs and, ultimately, for the welfare of the community,' he argued. 'Two local associations, PJ Sejahtera and the Sustainable Petaling Jaya Association, have raised concerns that MBPJ could lose up to RM10 mil annually due to the implementation of SIP. 'Will Ng take full responsibility for this loss? Who truly stands to benefit from this decision; the public, or political insiders?' Calling for the state government to urgently conduct a thorough review of the situation, Low said any necessary changes, including amending or even cancelling the concession, should be made to protect PBT revenues and ensure the wellbeing of the community. Under the new arrangement, 50% of parking revenue will be allocated to the concessionaire, while the remaining 50% will go to the state government. Of the state's portion, 40% will be distributed to the local councils involved, with the remaining 10% directed to Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI). ‒ July 15, 2025 Main image: Carz Automedia Malaysia
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Umrah package firm, director charged for ignoring tribunal's RM232,000 award to consumers
KOTA KINABALU: A company offering umrah packages and its director were charged in the magistrates' court here today for failing to comply with a decision by the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia to award claims amounting to RM232,526.80 to six people. The company, Emraz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, and its director, Datuk Zulkarnain Endut, 44, each face six charges under Section 117(1) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which carries a penalty of up to RM10,000, two years' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction. Zulkarnain, in his capacity as a director and on behalf of the company, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus after the charges were read out. According to the charge sheet, the company and Zulkarnain had allegedly committed the offences between July 2023 and January 2024 at the Sabah Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Jalan UMS, here, by failing to pay the awards ranging from RM24,666.80 to RM50,000 to six individuals, totalling RM232,526.80. The court fixed Sept 23 for pre-trial case management and allowed bail at RM1,000 for each charge, with a local surety. An additional condition was imposed requiring the accused to report to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's office in Putrajaya on the 17th of every month. Deputy public prosecutors from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Shafiq Mahadi and Md Syafique Md Helmie, prosecuted while the accused was represented by counsel Farah Nazriah Chun Lee @ Mohd Fadzlee Lee. Earlier, Farah informed the court that another director of the company, Datin Mazuin Mustafa, who is also Zulkarnain's wife, was supposed to be charged today but was unable to attend due to a high-risk pregnancy that prevented her from travelling to Sabah. Farah said her condition had been confirmed by Putrajaya Hospital on June 20, and she applied for the warrant of arrest against Mazuin to be revoked, which was not opposed by the prosecution. Meanwhile, Shafiq informed the court that according to a letter from the hospital, the accused's wife is currently 11 weeks pregnant. The prosecution requested that the next case management to be fixed within two months, with the same date also intended to ascertain the status of the accused's wife regarding when she would be fit to travel to Sabah. The court was also informed that Zulkarnain is facing similar charges in various states across Malaysia, including Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. On July 8 2023, Bernama quoted Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing as saying that the ministry had suspended the licence of Emraz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd for six months, effective July 10, 2023 until Jan 9, 2024. Lembaga Tabung Haji Lembaga Tabung Haji had also suspended the licence of the same company on April 2 in the same year in a move to protect the welfare of prospective haj pilgrims following public complaints about their umrah services.
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Travel company, director claim trial over unpaid refunds
Zulkarian KOTA KINABALU (July 15): A travel company and its director pleaded not guilty at a Magistrate's Court here on Tuesday to six charges of failing to comply with Consumer Claims Tribunal (TTPM) orders to refund a total of RM232,526.80 to six individuals. Emraz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd and its director, Datuk Zulkarnain Endut, 44, claimed trial before magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus. Both were granted bail of RM1,000 with one local surety for each charge. Zulkarnain entered the pleas on behalf of himself and the company. He was represented by counsel Farah Nazriah Chun Lee @ Mohd Fadzlee Lee, while Deputy Public Prosecutors Shafiq Mahadi and Md Syafique Md Helmie appeared for the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN). The company and Zulkarnain face six charges under Section 117(1) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 for failing to comply with TTPM award orders. If convicted, they face a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. According to the charges, they allegedly failed to pay the awarded claims — ranging from RM24,666.80 to RM50,000 — between 24 July 2023 and 25 January 2024 at the KPDN Sabah office, Federal Government Administrative Complex, Jalan UMS. The third accused, Datin Mazuin Mustafa — Zulkarnain's wife and also a company director — was absent due to a high-risk pregnancy, supported by a medical report from Putrajaya Hospital dated 20 June 2025. Her lawyer informed the court that this is her first pregnancy and is into the 11th week, with travel deemed unsafe. Counsel Farah Nazriah requested that the arrest warrant against Mazuin be revoked, to which the prosecution had no objection. Deputy Public Prosecutor Shafiq requested that a pre-trial case management (PTCM) be scheduled in two months and that the court be updated on Mazuin's ability to attend. He noted the case is of public interest due to its connection with multiple Umrah packages and substantial financial losses. He also proposed bail at RM2,000 per charge with one local surety, along with a condition for the accused to report to KPDN on the 17th of every month. Farah Nazriah appealed for minimal bail, citing that the accused is a Malaysian citizen with no fixed income following the company's winding-up on 17 July 2024. She also highlighted the accused's personal responsibilities, including his wife's medical condition. The accused are facing other charges throughout Malaysia, including in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. The court fixed 23 September 2025 for pre-trial case management and maintained bail at RM1,000 per charge with one local surety.
