Latest news with #RM65
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
GOF thwarts smuggling of cattle, exotic birds
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force's (GOF) Southeast Brigade foiled two smuggling attempts involving cattle and exotic birds in raids conducted under Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said that in the first raid, a team from GOF Battalion 8 stopped a suspicious lorry at Kampung Wakaf Simen in Tanah Merah at 11.15pm on Thursday. 'Upon inspection, we found 15 cows smuggled in from Thailand without valid documents. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, is estimated at RM186,000. 'The driver, a 52-year-old Malaysian, was arrested and is believed to have been transporting the cows to local markets for Hari Raya Aidiladha,' he said yesterday, Bernama reported. In a separate raid near the illegal Paija base in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, GOF personnel found several boxes and animal cages abandoned on the riverbank during a patrol near midnight. 'The boxes contained three exotic parrots and a white peacock, estimated to be worth RM65,000. They are believed to have been smuggled in from a neighbouring country,' he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
GOF thwarts smuggling of cattle and exotic birds into Kelantan
Composite image of the seized animals and cattle smuggling suspect. – courtesy GOF South-East Brigade via BERNAMA KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) South-East Brigade thwarted two smuggling attempts involving cattle and exotic birds in raids conducted under Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan on Thursday (May 29) night. Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said in the first raid, a team of GOF Battalion 8 members stopped a suspicious-seeming lorry at Kampung Wakaf Simen in Tanah Merah at 11.15pm. "Upon inspection, we found 15 cows smuggled in from Thailand without any valid documents, with the value of the seized items, including the lorry, estimated at RM186,000. "The driver, a 52-year-old man, was arrested. "It is believed he was transporting the cows to local markets for Hari Raya Aidiladha," he said in a statement on Friday (May 30). He said the suspect and seized items were handed over to the Kelantan Veterinary Services Department for investigation under Section 36(1) of the Animals Act 1953. In another raid near the illegal Paija base in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, GOF personnel discovered several boxes and animal cages abandoned on the riverbank during a patrol close to midnight. "The boxes contained three exotic parrots and a white peacock, estimated to be worth RM65,000, possibly smuggled in from a neighbouring country. "The case is being investigated under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. "All the seized items have been handed over to the Kota Baru Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further investigation," Nik Ros Azhan said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Bid to smuggle parrots, rare peacock foiled by GOF
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled an attempt to smuggle three parrots and a rare white peacock worth about RM65,000 in Pengkalan Kubor last night. However, no arrests were made in the operation, said GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid. He said the Eighth Battalion team was on routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan when they spotted suspicious activities about 11pm. "GOF personnel came across several boxes and animal cages hidden along the riverbank. Upon inspection, they found three parrots believed to be of the cockatoo species and a rare white peacock, with an estimated value of RM65,000. "They are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand via an illegal jetty," he said. He said the case was being investigated under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. The seized animals have been handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Kota Baru for further action. He reaffirmed GOF's commitment to strengthening border patrols to curb cross-border smuggling, particularly of protected wildlife species. "The GOF will continue to intensify efforts to safeguard our borders against such illegal activities," he added.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Daily Express
Bids to smuggle in migrants foiled
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Azmie Lim Text Size: Among those detained while trying to enter via Semporna. SEMPORNA: Marine Police foiled two attempts by two speed boats to smuggle in migrants via Pulau Boheian waters on Sunday. Sabah Region Four Marine Commander, ACP Mohd Nazri Ibrahim, said the speed boats were apprehended in Ops Taring Gelora conducted in the areas. 'Inspection found that the speedboats were carrying 25 passengers attempting to enter the state without permission. 'The boat skipper admitted they were paid and from the Philippines and wanted to enter Semporn,' he said. Mohd Nazri said all those detained and the seizures estimated worth RM65,237 were taken to the Semporna Marine base for further action. He said both cases are being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Advertisement He said human smuggling is a serious matter, especially in the east coast and the police always keep an eye on this matter. Marine Police will continue to intensify patrol and operation as well as taking stern action against any parties attempting to enter the state or involved in smuggling of migrants. Members of public are urged to convey any information on crime activities by contacting the Marine at 088-454819 or via Pasukan Polis Marin Wilayah 4 Sabah on Facebook. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Penang posts RM65m Q1 surplus for 2025 amid new revenue push
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 — The Penang state government recorded a surplus of RM65.3 million for the first quarter ending March 31, 2025, attributed to new revenue streams and expenditure cuts, the state legislative assembly was told today. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the state registered revenue totalling RM268,463,025.36 against an expenditure of RM203,189,122.16 as at March 31. 'This resulted in a surplus of RM65,273,903.20 for the state's finances as at March 31, 2025,' he said in reply to a question from Goh Choon Aik (PKR-Bukit Tambun). Chow attributed this positive outcome to several initiatives undertaken by the state finance department to identify new revenue streams for 2025. He detailed that as at March 31, 2025, the state's Consolidated Fund stood at RM1.535 billion, comprising a Consolidated Revenue Account of RM199.22 million and a Consolidated Trust Account of RM1.33578 billion. Providing context from the previous year, Chow said the state's unaudited financial statement for the year ending 2024 showed the Consolidated Fund at RM1.38474 billion, compared to RM1.46604 billion in 2023. This comprised a Consolidated Revenue Account of RM155.94 million and a Consolidated Trust Account of RM1.22880 billion. For 2024, the Consolidated Revenue Account decreased by RM174.09 million compared to 2023, while the Consolidated Trust Account increased by RM92.79 million, Chow noted. 'The state government concluded the 2024 financial year with a deficit totalling RM174.09 million, which is lower compared to the 2023 deficit of RM358.8 million,' he stated. Chow explained that while revenue collected in 2024 reached RM810.46 million, the deficit arose from operating expenditure of RM719.55 million and transfers to the Development Fund totalling RM265 million. 'The state received an advance of RM100 million from the federal government to cover cash flow, which, among other things, contributed to the increase in the Consolidated Trust Account,' he added. Responding to an additional question on strategies to increase revenue, Chow outlined nine approaches. These include selling more state land, collecting an estimated RM6 million in quit rent arrears, and reviewing land title conversion processes. Chow added that the state is also considering a review of liquor licence fees, entertainment duty, and hotel room fees. 'We are also looking at reducing our expenditure, but it keeps increasing each year due to salary realignments, which impacts emoluments,' he said, also noting that expenditure for the i-Sejahtera social welfare aid programme has risen as more people qualify. Chow clarified that billions in foreign investments do not directly translate into state revenue, except through land sales. 'The benefits from investments manifest as job opportunities and a trickle-down effect for local suppliers,' he explained, adding that investors and suppliers pay taxes directly to the federal government. 'These are our limitations; we do not have natural resources to generate more state revenue,' he said. Regarding the RM100 million advance from the federal government, Chow said the state applied for it as a standby fund in case of a deficit. 'The projected deficit of more than RM500 million (for 2024) did not materialise, as we managed to increase our revenue and lower the deficit to about RM100 million,' he said, referencing the RM1.047 billion budget for 2024 tabled in November 2023. He confirmed the RM100 million fund remains available, but must eventually be returned to the federal government.
