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New Straits Times
20-07-2025
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes 100,000 sticks of smuggled cigarettes
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) 7th Battalion seized about 100,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes estimated to be worth RM222,000 after stopping a suspicious vehicle in Kampung Bunut Sarang Burung under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan on Friday. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the seizure was conducted at 6am after the suspect fled and left the vehicle by the roadside. He said an inspection found 100,000 sticks of white cigarettes in the suspect's vehicle and were believed to be for sale in the local market. "All the cigarettes were handed over to the Tumpat district police headquarters for further action and this case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967 and Section 108(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said in a statement today. – Bernama
Barnama
20-07-2025
- Barnama
Kelantan Gof Seizes 100,000 Sticks Of Smuggled Cigarettes
KOTA BHARU, July 20 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) 7th Battalion seized about 100,000 sticks of contraband cigarettes estimated to be worth RM222,000 after stopping a suspicious vehicle in Kampung Bunut Sarang Burung under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan on Friday. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the seizure was carried out at 6 am after the suspect fled and left the vehicle by the roadside. He said an inspection found 100,000 sticks of white cigarettes in the suspect's vehicle and were believed to be for sale in the local market.
Focus Malaysia
19-06-2025
- Science
- Focus Malaysia
Smarter ponds, greener future: The robot changing Malaysian fish farming
IN the quiet townships of Pahang, something remarkable is happening beneath the still surface of fish ponds. Where once farmers relied entirely on manual labour to clean water and monitor quality, a new innovation is gliding across the pond—powered not by fuel but by the sun. This is AquaRover, a solar-powered robotic water cleaner developed by a research team at Universiti Malaya (UM), led by Dr Archina Buthiyappan, a senior lecturer and researcher with a passion for merging technology with sustainability. Designed to help fish farmers manage water quality more efficiently, the robot is not only making waves in aquaculture but also contributing to Malaysia's broader food security and green technology agenda. 'Our aim was to solve multiple pain points at once—water quality, labour shortages, operational costs — all while keeping sustainability at the core,' said Dr Archina. 'AquaRover was born from that ambition.' The floating innovation Aquaculture plays a vital role in Malaysia's food supply chain. But fish farmers have long struggled with recurring challenges: polluted water, algae blooms, disease outbreaks, and the rising cost of manpower. After engaging directly with fish farmers on the ground, Dr Archina and her team began designing a solution tailored to their daily realities. The result was a floating robot capable of autonomously cleaning pond surfaces by removing organic waste, algae, and leftover feed. Unlike traditional fuel-powered machines, AquaRover runs on solar energy, offering a greener, cost-saving alternative. But it doesn't just clean. Equipped with high-precision sensors, AquaRover also monitors critical water parameters such as pH, temperature, and ammonia levels. This real-time data allows farmers to take early action to prevent disease, reduce fish stress, and optimise feeding schedules, all of which translate into healthier fish and higher yields. Backed by RM222,000 in funding from the Komuniti@UniMADANI grant under the Finance Ministry, the AquaRover prototype was put to the test at several hatcheries in Pahang. The results were immediate and striking. Farmers reported clearer pond water, improved fish growth, and fewer disease incidents. Feed conversion rates improved, allowing farmers to use less feed for better output. The reduction in manual cleaning not only saved time and cost, but also lessened the physical burden on workers. 'When the farmers saw how much clearer the water became and how consistent the sensor readings were, the trust grew quickly,' explained Dr Archina. 'We also made design adjustments based on their feedback. This wasn't built in a lab bubble—it was shaped by the community.' From hatcheries to classrooms and beyond Beyond commercial application, the project has also found a place in education. As part of a wider outreach initiative, the team brought AquaRover to secondary schools in Selangor, using it as a real-world teaching tool to spark interest in science, robotics, and environmental stewardship. Students from SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Long and SMK Methodist ACS in Klang were introduced to the technology through hands-on demonstrations. They learned how robotics, sustainability, and agriculture can come together to solve real-world challenges, planting seeds of curiosity that may one day grow into careers in STEM and innovation. The success of AquaRover has caught the attention of government agencies and industry players alike. With growing concern over climate change, food security, and rural livelihoods, this solar-powered robot offers a rare combination of high-tech precision and practical value. Dr Archina believes that the true impact of AquaRover extends beyond the ponds of Pahang. 'What we're building is not just a robot but a new mindset for how we approach agriculture in a warming world. Clean energy, smart systems, and local input must go hand in hand,' she added. As Malaysia looks to future-proof its agricultural sector, innovations like AquaRover offer a compelling glimpse of what's possible when research is grounded in community needs and driven by sustainable thinking. ‒ June 19, 2025 The author is a postgraduate researcher at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Daily Express
20-05-2025
- Daily Express
Misuse of over RM430k: Man charged
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Each charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between six months and five years, whipping and liability of a fine, on conviction. Kota Kinabalu: A man was charged in the Magistrate's Court here with two counts of misappropriation of property amounting to RM431,700.90. Jonathan Benjamin, who appeared before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus pleaded not guilty to both charges. Advertisement On the first count, Jonathan was accused of dishonestly misusing a company property, specifically daily sales cash amounting to RM222,776, between January 2023 and December the same year at the KK Garden Seafood Restaurant Gaya branch. Jonathan was accused of dishonestly using the company's money, namely daily sales cash totalling RM208,924.90 between January and December 2024 at the KK Garden Seafood Restaurant's Gaya branch. Each charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between six months and five years, whipping and liability of a fine, on conviction. Prosecuting Officer Inspector Mohamad Hamidi Mohamad Hamzah, proposed bail at RM4,000. Advertisement Jonathan's counsel applied for a lower bail amount. The court fixed July 4 for pre-trial case management (ptcm) and released the accused on a bail of RM2,000 in two sureties. In another case, a 35-year-old man was charged with attempting to shoplift. Rabsun Saranglali pleaded not guilty to trying to steal 12 different types of grocery items at Servay Jaya, OneBorneo Mall in Manggatal, on March 4, this year, at 5.52pm. He was charged under Section 380/511 of the Penal Code. The court set July 4 for ptcm and offered the accused RM1,800 bail in two sureties. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
