Arson attacks on ‘Ah Long’ loan defaulters in Johor: Teen among four nabbed, due to be charged today, says state’s top cop Posted on 28/11/2024 JOHOR BARU, Nov 28 — Four individuals, including a teenager, have been arrested for allegedly carrying out arson attacks on borrowers of loan sharks, or “Ah Long”. Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said the suspects, aged between 15 and 20, were arrested in Johor Baru and Pontian on November 15 and 16. He said that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were paid around RM1,000 per case by an unlicensed money lending syndicate to intimidate loan defaulters by committing mischief by fire. “This group has been actively involved in such activities since last October. The money lending syndicate advertises its services on social media, using the caption ‘licensed Singapore money lenders’ to deceive borrowers,” he said in a statement yesterday. Kumar said the syndicate’s modus operandi was to transfer money to victims immediately after they provided personal information, such as bank account details and home addresses, even without their agreement. According to him, the syndicate would then force borrowers to repay the loans at excessively high interest rates. “Most of the victims are locals working in Singapore. With the suspects’ arrest, the police have successfully solved nine cases involving the same modus operandi,” he said, adding that investigations were being carried out under Sections 436 and 435 of the Penal Code. The suspects are being remanded until today (November 28) and are expected to be charged in the Johor Baru Court today. –– Bernama News
UPNM to introduce periodic physical exams for cadets after bullying incidents, says defence minister Posted on 14/11/2024 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) will conduct periodical physical examinations for its cadets after another alleged bullying incident recently. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin told the Dewan Rakyat today that the measure is one of eight taken to prevent this issue from recurring…. Read More
Australian PM plays down privacy fears of social media ban for children Posted on 25/11/2024 Prime minister Anthony Albanese’s government aimed to pass the bill by year-end, expediting its progress through both houses of parliament. (AP pic) SYDNEY: Australia prime minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday social media firms would be required to destroy personal data used to verify ages of users, as part of… Read More
PKR sec-gen Fuziah says unaware of Zafrul leaving Umno for party, no application received Posted on 13/12/2024 PETALING JAYA, Dec 13 — PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh stated today that she has no knowledge of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz allegedly joining the party. According to Malaysiakini, Fuziah said PKR has not received any membership application from Zafrul, who is currently an… Read More