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
Hamas rules out hostages-for-prisoners swap unless Gaza war ends Posted on 21/11/2024 Families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza hold photos of their loved ones during a protest outside the Israeli prime minister’s house in Jerusalem. (AP pic) CAIRO: Hamas’ acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in remarks broadcast on Wednesday that there would be no hostages-for-prisoners swap deal with Israel… Read More
Wood hits brace as NZ destroy Vanuatu in World Cup qualifier Posted on 15/11/2024 Chris Wood continued his red-hot form with two goals in as many minutes for New Zealand today. (AFP pic) WELLINGTON: Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood continued his red-hot form with two goals in as many minutes for New Zealand in an 8-1 demolition of Vanuatu today in World Cup qualifying…. Read More
Special task force continuing intervention to support homebuyers affected by abandoned private housing projects Posted on 01/12/2024 JOHOR BARU, Dec 1 — The Task Force on Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects (TFST), under the Madani Government, will continue its intensified intervention to provide the best possible support for affected buyers. Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, said that continuous monitoring… Read More