Latest News from New Straits Times
New Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Couple duped by scammer pretending to be friend
IPOH: What was meant to be a kind gesture turned into a nightmare for a couple in Taman Kledang Suria here after they fell victim to a scammer who impersonated the wife's friend. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said investigations revealed that the 67-year-old husband was at home at 1.17pm on Tuesday when he received a call from a number he believed belonged to his wife's friend. He said the woman on the line claimed she had forgotten her wallet while buying groceries and urgently needed money to pay for the items. "Moved by what he assumed was a genuine emergency, the victim transferred RM2,500 online to a bank account. "Minutes later, the same caller claimed the amount was still insufficient and begged for more assistance," he said when contacted today. Abang Zainal Abidin added that at 3.22pm, the victim's 65-year-old wife deposited another RM3,000 via a cash deposit machine. "Just 29 minutes later, another RM4,500 was transferred to the same account by the wife. In total, the couple lost RM10,000, all under the impression they were helping a friend in need," he said. He said the truth only surfaced when the victim called the actual friend, who denied ever making such a request and the couple then lodged a police report yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Abang Zainal Abidin urged the public to remain vigilant, especially when faced with urgent financial requests from unknown or unverified numbers. "Always verify such requests, even if they appear to come from friends or family. A single phone call for confirmation could prevent a major loss," he said.
New Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Muhibbah Q1 earnings rise 14pct to RM16mil on stronger concession gains
KUALA LUMPUR: Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd's net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, rose 14 per cent to RM16.17 million from RM14.19 million a year earlier, lifted by higher contributions from its concession business. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group said this was driven by its airport and road concession operations, which contributed RM22.1 million in pre-tax profit, up 116.7 per cent from RM10.2 million previously. Quarterly revenue, however, declined 2.2 per cent to RM319.96 million from RM327.01 million a year ago. Muhibbah said the dip was due to slightly lower construction activity during the quarter. On a proforma basis, which includes its share of revenue from associates, total revenue rose 4.2 per cent to RM431.3 million from RM413.9 million. Earnings per share rose to 2.22 sen from 1.95 sen a year ago. As at end-March, the group had RM516.7 million in cash and bank balances, down from RM571.2 million at the end of December 2024. Total borrowings stood at RM468.2 million, comprising RM306.6 million in short-term and RM161.6 million in long-term loans. The group's outstanding order book stood at RM1.14 billion as at May 22, spanning construction and cranes projects. Despite global headwinds, including inflation, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties, Muhibbah said it will continue to monitor developments and pursue new contracts.
New Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
S. African woman gets life term for selling 6-year-old daughter
SALDANHA BAY, South Africa: A South African court on Thursday sentenced a woman to life in prison for kidnapping and selling her six-year-old daughter, in a case that horrified the country. Joshlin Smith went missing in February last year from her home in Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 135 kilometres (85 miles) north of Cape Town, and has never been found. Her mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, was found guilty of kidnapping and selling the young girl, reportedly for 20,000 rand (US$1,100). Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that Smith, 35, and her two co-accused -- a boyfriend and mutual friend -- also be jailed for life for human trafficking. They were all sentenced to a concurrent 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping. "I am also ordering the entry of your names to the child protection register," Erasmus ruled. "There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose," he said. Smith was present at the court and sat through the hour-long proceeding with an impassive gaze. The judge said the mother of three was manipulative and had shown "no indication of remorse" or concern over Joshlin's disappearance. The verdict drew cheers in the courtroom. Joshlin's grandmother was also present in court in a white shirt emblazoned with images of the young girl. Smith was initially a figure of sympathy when her child disappeared, sparking a massive nationwide search operation. Photos showing Joshlin's striking green eyes, broad smile and brown pigtails flooded the internet. The case drew national attention, including from a minister who offered a one-million-rand (US$54,000) reward for her safe return. But it took a turn when prosecutors alleged that Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer, who was interested in her eyes and fair complexion. The judge did not say in his ruling who the girl was sold to or why. Witnesses in the trial which began in March included the girl's teacher and a pastor, who said the mother had told him of the planned sale of her child in 2023. Police said on Thursday they had extended the search beyond South Africa's borders. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and the kidnapping of children is on the rise. There were more than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa in the 2023/2024 financial year, an 11 per cent increase over the previous year, according to police statistics. The data does not specify the ages of the victims. - AFP
![[UPDATED] High Court dismisses Najib's ex-lawyers' suit against Malaysian Bar](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fcourt_hammer1_1748515292.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] High Court dismisses Najib's ex-lawyers' suit against Malaysian Bar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar's statement criticising Datuk Seri Najib Razak's former legal team over their handling of his final SRC International appeal at the Federal Court did not amount to defamation, the High Court heard. Judge Roz Mawar Rozain made the ruling before dismissing a defamation suit filed by senior lawyer Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim and two others against the Bar and its former president, Karen Cheah Yee Lynn. Zaid, along with Liew Teck Huat and Reuben Mathiavaranam, had represented the former prime minister in his final appeal at the Federal Court in August 2022, replacing Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. The trio filed the suit over Cheah's media statement titled "Abuse of Process Brings Disrepute to Our Justice System", issued on Aug 9 that year, claiming it had tarnished their reputations. In her ruling, Roz Mawar said the plaintiffs failed to establish that the words, in their natural and ordinary meaning, were defamatory in law. She said the reputational impact of the plaintiffs' conduct had already crystallised prior to the publication, due to their public statements and the unfolding events at the Federal Court. "The plaintiffs themselves had, prior to the publication, made multiple public disclosures including press interviews, social media postings, and commentaries admitting their lack of readiness, criticising prior counsel, and seeking adjournments which were ultimately refused by the apex court. "Their reputational position had already been shaped by facts in the public domain. "The impugned statements in the press release did not further lower or injure their standing in the eyes of reasonable members of society," she said. Roz Mawar said the plaintiffs' claim of conspiracy to injure also failed, as there was no evidence of any agreement or concerted effort by the defendants to cause harm. "No evidence was adduced to establish a concerted agreement between the defendants. "If the complaint is based on a publication said to be defamatory, a separate claim of conspiracy cannot stand on its own," she said," she said, adding that the plaintiffs' claim for breach of statutory duty also had no merit. The court said Cheah, who was then the Bar president, had acted within her statutory remit under Section 42(1)(d) of the Legal Profession Act in making public comments on matters of concern to the legal profession. "There is no actionable breach, and no specific compensable loss was proven to have flowed from the alleged breach," she added. Najib, on July 25, 2022, appointed Zaid's law firm to replace Shafee & Co in the final appeal of the SRC International case at the Federal Court, with Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik as lead counsel in place of Shafee. However, the apex court on Aug 23 upheld the conviction and sentence of 12 years' imprisonment and a RM210 million fine imposed on Najib, who was found guilty of embezzling RM42 million in funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd. Najib's sentence was later reduced to six years, and the fine lowered to RM50 million, following his petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022.
New Straits Times
23 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Loke: No word yet on cabinet reshuffle amid ministers' exit
PUTRAJAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he has not been informed of any Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of two ministers yesterday. Speaking in jest, he said his position as transport minister would remain unchanged. "I met with the prime minister today (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), which is why I was late to this meeting. "I have not been informed of any ministerial changes. "He said the Transport Minister stays," he told reporters after chairing the National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) Meeting No. 1/2025 here today. Earlier today, Anwar said he has yet to decide on a cabinet reshuffle following the resignations of two ministers from his administration. He said a decision could not be made as both Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who tendered their resignations yesterday, are currently on leave. Rafizi, who is the Pandan member of parliament, said his resignation would take effect on June 17, and that he would utilise the remainder of his annual leave until June 16. The announcement came about days after Rafizi lost the race for the PKR deputy president's post in the party election. Earlier this month, he had pledged to resign from the cabinet if he failed to retain the position. Meanwhile, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said his resignation would take effect on July 4, with leave beginning today. Nik Nazmi, who also lost in the recent party polls - failing to retain his position as PKR vice-president - said he was aware that the party post played a key role in his cabinet appointment. He said his decision to step down was in line with that outcome. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) yesterday confirmed that Anwar had received letters of resignation and leave requests from both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi. It said Anwar had approved their applications for leave. "Any further decisions regarding this matter will be announced in due course by the prime minister," the statement read. Following the announcement, a list alleging that 11 PKR MPs had withdrawn support for Anwar began circulating on social media last night.
