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Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Man shot dead outside Klang motorcycle shop, third shooting in Malaysia in recent days
According to a Facebook post by a user, at least six gunshots were reportedly fired at the victim. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Man shot dead outside Klang motorcycle shop, third shooting in Malaysia in recent days PETALING JAYA - A man is believed to have been shot dead outside a motorcycle shop in Batu 5, Jalan Meru in Klang, Malaysia on the afternoon June 20. According to a Facebook post by a user, at least six gunshots were reportedly fired at the victim, who was inside a pickup truck parked in front of the premises. 'People of Meru, be careful. A shooting has just happened here,' the user wrote in the post, which quickly gained traction online, Sinar Harian reported. Several other Facebook users also shared their experiences of either witnessing or hearing the incident. One user, Ms Anisha Syam, said she heard the gunshots clearly and described the sound as frightening. 'It was really terrifying to hear those gunshots,' she said. Another user, Mr Badrul Hisham Mohd Nor, said he had just left the area shortly before the incident occurred. 'I had just finished changing my motorcycle tyre at the shop. I was there a bit earlier before it happened,' he said. Efforts to get police confirmation on the incident are ongoing. Two open shooting cases occurred within four days in Brickfields and Cheras recently. Based on police's initial investigations, the shooting incident involving two men in front of a shopping complex in Jalan Loke Yew, Cheras, at midnight on June 17, is believed to have stemmed from smuggling activities in Sibu, Sarawak. The incident that occurred in Brickfields on June 13 is believed to have resulted from a conflict in criminal activities occurring in Selangor. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Elephant that ravaged Desaru fruit farm has been relocated
A male elephant was captured by the Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department after it ravaged a fruit farm. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Elephant that ravaged Desaru fruit farm has been relocated KOTA TINGGI - An elephant that has been ravaging a fruit farm for the past week in Malaysia has been successfully relocated, said Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. He said the male elephant was captured by the Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) on June 19. 'We received a report about an elephant entering and damaging coconut and fruit plantations at Desaru Fruit Farm a week earlier,' he said on Facebook, adding that an operation was later launched on June 16 to capture the elephant. 'The elephant was later found on June 19 within Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's land in Sungai Cemaran, Desaru.' He added that the operation, dubbed Ops Gajah, was conducted around Tanjung Sedili and nearby areas. 'The operation was carried out by Johor Perhilitan's Elephant Capture Unit, which confirmed the animal's identity and successfully relocated it to prevent further human-wildlife conflict,' he added. Meanwhile, when contacted, Johor Perhilitan director Aminuddin Jamin said that the elephant was believed to be from the ID Panti herd. 'The elephant may have lost its way and we have relocated it to its natural habitat,' he said. 'The elephant is part of the ID Panti group, which is one of the five identified herds in Johor.' THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Suspect accused of hurling chilli powder at staff in Langkawi goldsmith robbery
The suspect, wearing a face mask, entered the premises and hurled chilli powder at one of the goldsmith employees. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Suspect accused of hurling chilli powder at staff in Langkawi goldsmith robbery LANGKAWI - A 45-year-old man was arrested by the Malaysian police after he was involved in the daylight robbery of a goldsmith in Langkawi on June 19. Langkawi police chief Shariman Ashari said the incident took place around 11.48am when the suspect, wearing a face mask, entered the premises and hurled chilli powder at one of the goldsmith employees. 'After disabling the victim with the chilli powder, the man proceeded to smash the display glass with a machete and grabbed a quantity of gold jewellery,' he said in a statement. Assistant Commissioner (AC) Shariman said the suspect attempted to flee but members of the public nearby immediately gave chase. He said the suspect was eventually subdued and arrested by policemen on patrol in the area. AC Shariman said that initial investigations revealed the stolen jewellery was worth about RM50,000 (S$15,130). He said the case is being investigated under Sections 392 and 397 of the Malaysian Penal Code for robbery and armed robbery. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
South Korea's baby box is last refuge for single mothers
Caregivers are stationed at Babybox Korea's care room 24 hours a day to look after the babies. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK SEOUL – 'I just gave birth to a baby,' said a woman over the phone as Ms Hwang Min-sook was about to leave work one winter day. Ms Hwang urged her to call 119, the medical emergency hotline, but she replied: 'I can't do that.' Ms Hwang told her to take a taxi and see her at Babybox Korea in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. A few hours later, the woman arrived with her newborn. The staff suggested she stay overnight and go to the hospital the next morning, but she insisted on leaving and did not take her baby. She said she had to clean up the blood and other signs of childbirth before vacating a rented room the next day. A month later, she called again. She explained that the room was in a redevelopment area where residents had moved out. It was dusty and had no electricity, and she temporarily borrowed the space to give birth. It was then that Ms Hwang understood what might have caused the newborn's infection. Babybox Korea's managing director Hwang Min-sook poses for a photograph after an interview. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK After that call, the mother never made contact again. Once the infant's health was restored, the baby was transferred to a child welfare centre. Not everyone can imagine what that mother went through. But Ms Hwang said: 'There are many who give birth alone and abandon their babies. The baby box is their last refuge.' What is a baby box? A baby box is a facility that allows mothers to safely leave their babies in a protected environment. There are currently two such facilities in South Korea. The one in front of Jusarang Church, which operates Babybox Korea, is the first of its kind. The baby box was started by the church's pastor Lee Jong-rak. One winter night in 2007, he received a phone call at around 3am. A man said he left a baby in front of the church. The baby box is installed in front of Jusarang Church, which operates Babybox Korea. Once a baby is placed inside, an alarm alerts the staff, who transfer the infant to a care room. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Mr Lee rushed outside and found a baby with Down syndrome lying in a smelly fish box. Word spread that he was caring for a child with disabilities, and soon more babies with various conditions began appearing in front of the church overnight. Fearing that one might die in the cold, he built a box where parents could safely leave their babies. The box was later upgraded with a sensor that triggers an alarm when a baby is placed inside. Staff, working around the clock in shifts, respond immediately. When possible, they offer counselling to the mothers too. The concept is not unique to South Korea. Baby boxes – under the same or different name – exist in at least 20 countries, including the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Japan. In South Korea, in May 2014, a baby box was installed at New Canaan Church in Gunpo, Gyeonggi province. Since pastor Lee installed the baby box outside his church, 2,181 babies have been surrendered as of March 2025. This baby box, operated by Babybox Korea, has a notice with three exclamation points reading 'Please write down the baby's birthday'. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK When a baby arrives, the staff at the facility care for the child for up to six months, until the local authorities determine their future. Of the 2,181 babies, 1,693 have been sent to childcare centres, 167 have been adopted and 311 have been returned to their mothers. In the remaining 10 cases, records are unavailable. Ms Hwang said when the alarm goes off, the centre typically brings the mother inside for counselling and offers any support she might need. 'The main goal of counselling is to encourage mothers to raise their babies themselves,' she added, noting that the centre provides support for three years, including baby kits, medical costs, legal and housing assistance, and living expenses. All of this is funded by donations. 'The saddest thing is when mothers disappear or don't give up custody. If mothers don't relinquish custody, the babies cannot be adopted and must remain in childcare centres,' she said. What drives baby abandonment? The number of infants left at the baby box has fluctuated in step with changes to local laws and policies on adoption and support for single mothers with unplanned pregnancies. Arrivals to the baby box have surged since 2012 when the Act on Special Cases Concerning Adoption took effect, making it illegal to put a child up for adoption without first registering the birth. This made it difficult to give up babies for adoption anonymously. Clothes donated for the babies are neatly arranged at Babybox Korea. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK The number began to decline after 2019, when the Constitutional Court ruled the abortion ban unconstitutional. While the procedure was no longer prohibited, it had not yet been fully legalised. Still, abortions remained available in hospitals, allowing more women with unplanned pregnancies to choose termination. Another major change came in 2024 with the implementation of the anonymous birth system, which allows women to give birth in hospitals without revealing their identity. Still, Babybox Korea saw the arrival of 58 babies in 2024. According to Ms Hwang, despite changes in policies and support systems, one powerful force remains unchanged: the social stigma surrounding single motherhood. Parents with higher levels of education are more likely to oppose their daughters giving birth outside of marriage, fearing it could damage the family's reputation and social standing. Addressing criticism that the baby box makes it too easy for mothers to surrender their babies, she added: 'For the mothers who come here, this is the last resort. They come from all over the country, simply trying to save their babies by any means.' About 13 per cent of the mothers who sought help from the centre gave birth outside of hospitals. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Indicative of the desperation many of these women face, she added that about 13 per cent of the mothers who sought help from the centre had given birth outside of hospitals, something almost unthinkable in South Korea today. Government support for single mothers exists. There are state-run shelters where single mothers or expecting mothers can stay. Counselling services and food assistance are also offered. But Ms Hwang believes it is far from sufficient. According to the findings of a survey released by the Welfare Ministry in 2023, 249 babies born between 2015 and 2022 died without ever being officially registered. 'When mothers talk to our counsellors about entrusting their babies to us, they cry their eyes out. When adoption is decided, they write letters to their babies. Many wrote: 'I wanted to raise you but I'm sorry. I was happy for a few days because of you,'' she noted. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Penang-born actress Lim Pik-Sen from ‘Mind Your Language' dies at 80
The 80-year-old British actress was born in 1944 to businessman Lim Cheng-Teik. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK PETALING JAYA - Penang-born Lim Pik-Sen, who shot to stardom for her role in British sitcom Mind Your Language, passed away on June 9. The 80-year-old British actress was born in 1944 to businessman Lim Cheng-Teik and pursued her early education in the state before leaving for the United Kingdom to study acting when she was just 17. Her given birth name was Lim Phaik-Seng, but she changed it to 'Pik-Sen' since her British friends would mispronounce 'Phaik' as 'fake'. Well-known for her acting in Mind Your Language from 1977 to 1986, she played Chinese student Chung Su-Lee in the sitcom and spoke broken English in a Chinese accent for the role although she was fluent in the language. Portraying herself as a staunch follower of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong in the sitcom, she was known to hilariously whip out a 'little red book' and dictate verses on communism. Apart from the sitcom, she also acted in over 30 other movies, dramas and TV series between 1964 and 2023, such as Dr Who, General Hospital and The Professionals. Among the shows Lim had acted in in recent years were TV and drama series such as Vampire Academy, The Nevers and This Way Up. She also played the 'killer cleaner' in the 2011 movie Johnny English Reborn alongside actors Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson and Dominic West. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
