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Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Man charged with murder after 12 years on the run
Car accessories worker Ooi Chin Leng was charged with murder at the Butterworth magistrates' court today. (Rawpixel pic) PETALING JAYA : A car accessories worker who had been on the run from the police for the past 12 years after allegedly killing a nightclub bouncer was charged with murder today. Ooi Chin Leng, 38, nodded when the charge was read to him in Mandarin before magistrate Aini Adilah Faizal at the Butterworth magistrates' court, reported Berita Harian. No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court. According to the charge, Ooi, along with an accomplice who is still at large, allegedly murdered Fouzi Hussen, 24, at Taman Desa Murni, Sungai Dua, at 5.25am on Jan 24, 2013. The charge, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years. If not sentenced to death, Ooi may also be subject to not less than 12 strokes of the cane. Deputy public prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin prosecuted while Ooi was unrepresented. Nurameera did not offer bail and asked the court to set a date for Ooi's DNA test report as the case was from 2013 and he had just been arrested. Aini Adilah denied bail and set July 23 for the next mention of the case, including Ooi's DNA profiling.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Man charged over fatal shooting of Penang nightclub bouncer in 2013
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — A man accused of murdering a nightclub bouncer 12 years ago has finally been charged in the Butterworth Magistrates' Court today. Ooi Chin Leng, a 38-year-old car accessories worker, nodded to indicate he understood the charge when it was read to him in Mandarin before Magistrate Aini Adilah Muhammad Faizal, Berita Harian reported. No plea was recorded as the murder charge falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Ooi is accused of killing 24-year-old Fouzi Hussen with another suspect who remains at large at Taman Desa Murni, Sungai Dua, at 5.25am on Jan 24, 2013. The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years, along with no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin did not offer bail and requested time for a DNA profiling report as the case is old, adding that Ooi was only recently arrested. The court then denied bail and fixed July 23 for case mention and submission of the accused's DNA profiling report. According to earlier reports, Fouzi was shot dead in a business premises dispute that escalated into a fight over a failed business discussion.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang Opposition leader wants fiscal recovery plan to address revenue shortfall
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 — Penang Opposition Leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusof today pressed the state government for a five-year financial recovery plan to address what he described as a fiscal crisis currently facing the state. The Sungai Dua assemblyman said that the state government must review and balance its critical and non-critical spending while improving its administrative structure and procedures. 'The state government must not use oppressive policies, such as raising quit rent rates that burden the people of Penang, in order to increase state revenue,' Fauzi said at a press conference held outside the state legislative assembly today. He was referring to a reply by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in the assembly, which mentioned plans to raise state revenue streams through the collection of quit rent arrears amounting to RM6 million, selling state lands, and reviewing various fees and charges. Fauzi cited the Auditor-General's Report from October 2024, which he said indicated a drastic decline in the state's financial performance, in which the revenue account fell 52 per cent in 2023 from the year before while the consolidated trust account showed a 2.9 per cent decrease. 'This comparison is highly unbalanced, especially when the state government's expenditure increased by 13.9 per cent while state revenue decreased by 0.4 per cent (in the same period),' he added, highlighting the disparity. Fauzi warned that if this situation continues, Penang would face a critical cash flow risk. 'This will jeopardise the state's ability to manage its funds and administrative expenses, including the salaries of civil servants in the state,' he said. Yesterday, another opposition assemblyman, Yusni Mat Piah (PAS-Penaga), also questioned the state's decision to purchase new cars for state executive councillors and officials while allegedly facing a fiscal crisis. Chow is expected to address these concerns regarding the state's financial situation during his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly tomorrow.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang opposition leader questions Mutiara LRT project costs and impact
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 — Penang opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PAS-Sungai Dua) has called for greater transparency regarding the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Penang. He questioned the rising costs of the multibillion-ringgit project and its effectiveness in addressing the state's worsening traffic congestion. 'The government continues to push the LRT and Pan Island Link (PIL) projects as ultimate solutions to traffic congestion, but we need to know: what is the actual cost of this LRT project? Is it truly the best solution, and most importantly, is it worth it?' he said during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech in the state legislative assembly today. Muhammad Fauzi also urged the state government to release the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) report for the project, calling it a critical document for a mega project of this scale. 'This project will undoubtedly worsen traffic congestion during its construction phase. What measures will the government take to address this issue?' he asked. He further inquired about the status of land acquisition for the LRT project. 'The government has said land acquisition will be carried out in stages and maintained at a nominal rate. Has this process been completed? How many families or businesses will be affected?' he asked. Muhammad Fauzi raised concerns about underground infrastructure works such as water pipes, sewerage systems, and utility cables, which need to be relocated for the project. 'A project of this scale requires early management of underground utilities to avoid delays and additional costs. Has a timeline been set for these relocations, and are their costs included in the overall project budget?' he asked. He also questioned whether Penangites would widely use the LRT once it is operational. 'We need to know what percentage of Penangites are expected to use this LRT. Are the proposed station locations aligned with the daily routes of residents traveling between homes, workplaces, towns, and industrial areas?' he asked. Muhammad Fauzi suggested that improving the public bus system might be a more practical alternative. 'The state can expand the existing Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) services, which are more effective,' he said, adding that the government should compare the costs and socio-economic impacts of other public transport options before committing to the LRT. He pointed out that while the LRT was promoted as a tourist attraction with a station near Penang International Airport, a Rapid Bus service already serves the area. Regarding the proposed alignment connecting Penang Island and Penang Sentral in Butterworth, he asked whether it would involve an underwater tunnel or an elevated bridge. 'Each method comes with different costs and impacts, particularly on the marine environment and coastal ecosystems. Long-term safety and maintenance risks must also be considered, especially if an underwater route is chosen, which would require ventilation, drainage, and specialised technology,' he said. Muhammad Fauzi urged the government to conduct a detailed study on the alignment. 'What are the technical and financial justifications for the proposed route?' he asked. He emphasised that the opposition is not against development but wants projects that genuinely benefit the people. 'We do not want to see Penang become an elite city that marginalises ordinary citizens to benefit developers,' he said.
