Latest news with #AlorSetar
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Spiced and seized: Robber caught 300 metres from Langkawi gold shop after chilli powder heist
ALOR SETAR, June 19 — A robber was arrested before he could even turn the corner on the street of a gold shop he had just fled from at Jalan Pandak Mayah 5, Kuah in Langkawi today. Langkawi police chief ACP Shariman Ashari said in the robbery at about 11.48am, the 45-year-old local man entered the shop wearing a face mask. 'During the robbery, the 69-year-old owner and his 60-year-old wife were inside the shop. The suspect threw chilli powder at the victim's wife and proceeded to smash the jewellery display glass with a machete. 'The suspect then fled but was chased down by the goldsmith and several bystanders,' he said in a statement today. He said the suspect was arrested about a 300-metre dash from the gold shop by policemen on patrol in the vicinity. 'The gold (jewellery) looted was estimated at RM50,000. The suspect has been detained for further investigation and the case is being investigated under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code (robbery and causing grievous harm),' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
French man faces death sentence in Malaysian drug trial
French national Tom Felix is charged with drug possession and trafficking. (AFP pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A French man went on trial in northern Malaysia today, charged with drug possession and trafficking which could carry the death penalty if he is found guilty, his lawyer said. Tom Felix, a former executive of French waste management firm Veolia with a degree in aquaculture and marine biology, was set to open a restaurant on the scenic resort island of Langkawi when he was arrested in early August 2023. Police found several hundred grams of cannabis in a common area of a home where Tom, 34, was living with his Malaysian business partner, who was also arrested. 'The trial started,' Tom's lawyer Collin Andrew told AFP, saying mid-morning the case before the Alor Setar High Court had been adjourned because 'there were some items the first witness had not brought to court today'. It would resume tomorrow with the same witness again taking the stand, he added. The trial was scheduled to end on Thursday, but it was not known whether sentencing would take place immediately afterwards. Tom faces the death penalty, or '104 years of cumulative imprisonment, 54 strokes of the cane and a €27,000 fine', his mother Sylvie Felix told AFP. Drug possession and trafficking are serious crimes in Malaysia that can still carry the death sentence if the amounts are above a certain threshold. Death sentences, however, are no longer mandatory and no executions have taken place since 2018. Tom's parents spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron about his case during a recent state visit to neighbouring Singapore, where they live. 'He (Macron) said this situation is indeed unacceptable and that he would do everything possible to ensure Tom's release,' Sylvie said.
Malay Mail
06-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Mada ready for Southwest Monsoon to ensure smooth padi planting in Muda Area
ALOR SETAR, June 6 — The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) is fully prepared for the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to bring dry and hot weather conditions this month, in an effort to ensure the success of the first padi planting season in the Muda Area this year. In a statement today, MADA advised farmers to adhere strictly to the scheduled planting calendar and to expedite padi planting in their fields to maintain a smooth agricultural cycle. 'To address the anticipated water shortage, MADA has intensified the operation of drainage water reuse pumps and booster pumps to increase irrigation supply and speed up water distribution to padi fields. 'MADA is also deploying mobile pumps directly to affected fields to help farmers access water from the existing irrigation network,' the statement read. The agency said it had also held briefings and coordination meetings with field officers and farmers to tackle irrigation challenges, while expanding its agricultural extension efforts to ensure farmers remain aligned with the planting schedule. 'Farmer cooperation is crucial during this dry season to ensure uninterrupted planting activities,' it said. MADA said efficient on-field water management is key to ensuring equitable and sufficient distribution throughout the season. It also encouraged regular field monitoring to reduce the risk of pest and disease outbreaks that could affect crop yields. As of yesterday, water levels at all three of MADA's main dams remain adequate, namely Pedu Dam at 66.34 per cent, Muda Dam at 66.87 per cent, and Ahning Dam at 68.52 per cent. 'These levels indicate that the overall water reserves are sufficient to support irrigation needs for Season 1/2025 in Muda Area,' the statement read. MADA added that water will be released from the dams and distributed in phases, according to the official Season 1/2025 Paddy Planting Schedule. The agency will also continue to monitor weather developments closely, relying on forecasts and advisories from the Malaysian Meteorological Department to prepare for potential heat waves or prolonged dry spells. — Bernama
Malay Mail
05-06-2025
- Malay Mail
‘Pasar malam' trader jailed 30 months after breaking into ex-Kedah MB Ahmad Bashah's home, stealing grass cutter
ALOR SETAR, June 5 — A pasar malam trader selling children's toys was sentenced to 30 months' jail and fined RM1,500 by the Magistrate's Court here yesterday after pleading guilty to breaking into the home of ex-Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah last week. Magistrate Nur Syifa Mohd Hamzah also ordered the night market trader, T Rakesh Kumar, 44, to serve an additional six months' jail if he defaulted on the fine. According to the charge, the accused was alleged to have committed housebreaking by entering the residence of the former Kedah Menteri Besar and stealing a grass-cutting machine at Taman Rakyat here at 2.50am on May 29. For the offence, he was charged under Section 457 of the Penal Code and punishable under the same section, which provides for imprisonment of up to 14 years and a fine or whipping. Earlier, the accused, who was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation counsel Aina Shafina Idrus Saidi, appealed for a lenient sentence, citing that he is married, has no fixed income, and is responsible for supporting his wife and parents. However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Sharmila Md Asri urged the court to impose a commensurate punishment as the offence was a repeat case and the accused had previous convictions for similar offences. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Court throws out suit by motorcyclist, says claim of car collision false
Alor Setar sessions court judge Noor Zaihan Ali said the plaintiff failed to prove his case on the balance of probabilities. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : A sessions court in Alor Setar, Kedah, has dismissed a negligence suit filed by a motorcyclist after ruling that his claim that a car collided with his motorcycle in 2017 is false. Judge Noor Zaihan Ali said T Vimalan had failed to prove his case on the balance of probabilities. She said Vimalan had admitted during cross-examination that the collision did not involve a car, while another witness, V Dhayanandh, also conceded that Vimalan skidded and fell on his own. Zaihan also pointed out that the driver of the car, Hashim Bakar, had only lodged a police report two years after the accident. The judge, however, assessed damages to injuries suffered by Vimalan at RM352,000. Vimalan had claimed that he was knocked down by a car driven by Hashim along the Masjid Aman intersection in Alor Setar at about 4am on Nov 3, 2017. In his statement of claim, he said he suffered multiple injuries, including complete brachial plexus injury to his right upper limb. He sought about RM1 million in damages for loss of earnings and orthosis to support his right arm from the owner of the vehicle, Yusof Bakar. The insurer of the car, Tokio Marine Insurance, suspected that something was amiss and instructed adjusters to investigate and verify the accident. They managed to trace Dhayanandh, a friend of Vimalan's friend, who lodged a police report stating that the plaintiff had skidded and injured himself on his own. Vimalan produced 14 witnesses, including Hashim, who claimed to have collided with his motorcycle. The insurer had called Kota Setar police criminal investigation department chief Zahrin Abdul Rahman, who affirmed that there was no evidence that a car had collided into Vimalan's motorcycle. Lawyer Imavathi Subramaniam represented Tokio Marine Insurance while Samreet Singh Sagoo represented Yusof and Hashim. Vimalan was represented by Inderjit Singh.
