Malaysia, Indonesia ready to send peacekeeping forces to Gaza, says Anwar

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SINGAPORE: Malaysia stands ready to cooperate with Indonesia to send peacekeeping forces to Gaza if given a mandate by the United Nations (UN), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on social media after a phone call with Indonesia president-elect Prabowo Subianto on Monday (Jul 1).

Such a peacekeeping collaboration could expand to a regional level involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr Anwar suggested in his Facebook post following the call. 

The duo had a three-minute conversation and exchanged views on issues including Mr Prabowo’s representation of his country on the world stage, Mr Anwar added.

“I also welcomed the idea of cooperation in the Malaysia-Indonesia international peacekeeping mission and the possibility of expanding this collaboration to the ASEAN regional level,” he wrote.

In their call, Mr Anwar also wished Mr Prabowo a speedy recovery after a leg surgery, which he underwent last month.

TRACK RECORD OF PEACEKEEPING 

Malaysia and Indonesia are no strangers to peacekeeping efforts. According to the UN, Malaysia has 862 uniformed personnel involved in UN peacekeeping operations as at end-April. Some 825 of them are troops.

Since 1960, the country has participated in over 38 peacekeeping operations, including in Lebanon, said Colonel Shamsuri Noordin, military advisor at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN, in a speech in February.

Indonesia has 2,715 uniformed personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping operations as at end-April, according to the UN.

Mr Anwar has been a staunch and vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and has defended Malaysia’s relationship with the militant group Hamas.

In the wake of Israel’s war in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ cross-border assault on Oct 7, he has voiced concerns about the reluctance of the United States and the West to apply pressure on Israel.

The war has killed over 37,000 people in Gaza, according to the local health ministry.

Mr Anwar has also spoken about redoubling efforts to further strengthen ASEAN as a key platform in managing regional affairs. Malaysia will take over as the bloc’s rotating chair in 2025.

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Malaysia targets border fuel outlets supplying smugglers

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Malaysian official says cheap fuel is intended to help Malaysians, not profiteers

PUBLISHED : 2 Jul 2024 at 13:55

Malaysia targets border fuel outlets supplying smugglers
This lorry was caught offloading diesel smuggled from Malaysia to a pickup truck when police raided these premises in tambon Thung Lung in Hat Yai district of Songkhla on April 20 last year. (Police photo)

Dozens of petrol stations in Malaysia near the border with Thailand face potential closure for involvement in the smuggling of cheaper fuel into Thailand.

This follows an investigation by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living in Malaysia’s Kelantan state, which adjoins Narathiwat province in Thailand.

The probe targeted 48 petrol stations within 50 kilometres of the border. The findings were submitted to the ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya on Monday, Bernama news agency reported citing branch director Azman Ismail.

“We have recommended that the stations involved be suspended due to their direct involvement with certain parties in smuggling fuel out of the country,” Mr Azman was quoted as saying.

The official did not name the recipient country of the cheaper, contraband fuel. However, Kelantan borders Waeng, Sungai Kolok and Tak Bai districts in Narathiwat.

Malaysian authorities have been cracking down on smugglers and petrol stations believed to collude with them in profiting from the price difference between Thailand and Malaysia.

In Malaysia, subsidised RON95 is priced at 2.05 ringgit (16 baht) per litre while its equivalent in Thailand, gasohol 95, retails at 38.75 baht. Diesel in Malaysia is priced at 3 ringgit a litre (23.40 baht) despite there being no subsidy since last month. The cheapest diesel in Thailand is 29 baht.

The stations being targeted include those allowing repeated purchases and filling up illegal containers.

Mr Azman slammed the illegal trade as “a betrayal of the country” because the cheap fuel was intended to help Malaysians, not illegal profiteers.

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Thousands trapped in northern Myanmar flooding

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YANGON: Floods in northern Myanmar have trapped thousands of people in their homes and cut electricity and phone lines, residents and local media said on Tuesday (Jul 2), with the state weather office warning of more heavy rain. After days of heavy rain in Myitkyina, a city in northern Kachin state,Continue Reading

Singapore ‘prepared in principle’ to recognise a Palestinian state that rejects terrorism, accepts Israel’s right to exist

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STUDY VISITS, SCHOLARSHIPS

To that end, Singapore will continue to tap the S$10 million (US$7.4 million) Enhanced Technical Assistance Package to help the Palestinian Authority build capacity and prepare for eventual statehood, said Dr Balakrishnan.

Palestinian officials will be in Singapore from Jul 8 to Jul 12 for a study visit on using artificial intelligence in the public service.

Singapore has hosted Palestinians delegations for 18 study visits over the years on topics including urban planning and development, and public finance and fiscal policy.

More than 750 officials have also been trained in areas like diplomacy, water management and economic development, said Dr Balakrishnan. 

Postgraduate scholarships have also been disbursed to 13 Palestinian officials to study at the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses were included in the programmes offered under the assistance package in response to feedback that Palestinian officials were interested in them as they can better support development. 

The Enhanced Technical Assistance Package was first presented in 2013, and the amount was doubled to S$10 million in 2016.

“We hope that these training opportunities will help Palestinian Authority officials better serve the Palestinian people, as well as equip them with the necessary skills when it comes to the eventual reconstruction of Gaza,” said Dr Balakrishnan.

With regard to a question on training Palestinian officials to aid the reconstruction of Gaza, the minister said Singapore will assess how best to assist bilaterally.

“We stand ready to contribute, taking into account Gaza’s needs and an account of our own resources and expertise, but clearly all this can only take effect when the fighting ceases,” he said. “For now, the focus has to be on securing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages immediately.”

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Suspected gunmaker caught with C4 explosive

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PUBLISHED : 2 Jul 2024 at 12:46

Suspected gunmaker caught with C4 explosive
Prasit Panyen, 47, left, is arrested in possession of C4 explosive and gun-making paraphernalia at his house in Banphot Phisai district, Nakhon Sawan. (Photo: Chalit Poomruang)

NAKHON SAWAN: A graduate in mechanical engineering suspected of illegally making and selling guns has been arrested on charges of illegal possession of C4 explosive and ammunition.

Police took Prasit Panyen, 47, of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district, into custody at a delivery firm in tambon Bang Takngai in Banphot Phisai district on Tuesday morning.

They then searched his house, where they seized steel blanks used in making firearms, along with spare gun barrels, 131 rounds of ammunition, steel-cutting tools, about 200 grammes of C4 explosive and other items.

Mr Prasit was charged with illegal possession of an explosive and ammunition. 

His arrest followed reports that an illegal gunsmith in Banphot Phisai district was selling firearms online. The police investigation led them to Mr Prasit.

During questioning, Mr Prasit allegedly told police he had a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and had learned how to make and assemble guns. He started out repairing farmers’ guns before branching out into making the weapons himself for sale online at 3,000-4,000 baht each. He had been in the business for about two years.

He had bought the explosive from someone from Sa Kaeo province and intended to resell it for a profit to a militant ethnic Karen group or Myanmar national, according to police.

Police were not convinced he had told them everything. The investigation was continuing. 

Gun parts and machining tools seized from the suspect’s house in Banphot Phisai district, Nakhon Sawan. (Photo:  Chalit Poomruang)

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Zhang Zhijie: Chinese teen badminton player’s death sparks outcry

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The death of a Chinese teenage badminton player who collapsed on court has sparked an outcry across Chinese social media.

Zhang Zhijie, 17, was competing in a youth match when he suddenly fell to the floor in convulsions. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Footage of the incident, shared widely online, showed a pause of about 40 seconds before medics rushed to attend to Zhang.

Officials have come under intense criticism and questions on whether his life could have been saved by quicker medical intervention.

Indonesia’s badminton association PBSI later said he had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

The Badminton Asia Junior Championships match had taken place in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta on Sunday, with Zhang playing against Kazuma Kawano of Japan.

After Zhang collapses, a man is seen running to help him, but he stops in his tracks and appears to look off court for further instruction.

A PBSI spokesman later told reporters that medical teams had to follow a rule where they needed the referee’s permission before entering the court.

“That is in accordance with the regulations and standards of procedure that applies to every international badminton tournament,” he said.

Badminton Asia, the regional arm of the sport’s governing body Badminton World Federation, also said Zhang was taken to an ambulance within two minutes.

PBSI is now planning to ask the federation to re-evaluate this rule so it can be “more situational, for actions to be taken more quickly so that athletes can be saved if there is a similar case in the future”.

Other professional sports bodies, such as the UK’s Football Association, have a similar rule.

But on Chinese users of social media platform Weibo, there was an outpouring of anger, with many widely condemning the rule.

“Which is more important – the rules or someone’s life?” said a comment which was liked by thousands.

“Did they miss the ‘golden period’ to rescue him?” read another comment under a hashtag on Zhang’s death, which has been a trending topic on Weibo for days.

Others called for the Badminton World Federation to “overhaul” the rules, with one saying: “Why do we need permission when lives are at stake?”

Chinese state media outlet Xinhua published a commentary on Tuesday morning saying the incident “raised critical questions” about emergency response procedures at sports events.

“Regardless of how rules are formulated or how referees officiate, prioritising life should always be the highest rule on the playing field,” it said.

Zhang had been hailed as a rising star in the sport, and his death has prompted several tributes and condolences.

Badminton Asia said they were “immensely saddened” and added that “the world of badminton has lost a talented player”.

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Man charged with pushing man into Singapore River near Clarke Quay, causing him to drown

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SINGAPORE: A man allegedly pushed another man such that the latter fell backwards, hit the back of his head and fell into the Singapore River off Clarke Quay where he drowned.

Legha Pawan, a 21-year-old Indian national, was charged on Tuesday (Jul 2) with a rash act causing death, not amounting to culpable homicide.

According to the charge sheet, Legha pushed Mr Jasbir Singh, 33, on his chest at about 10.15pm on Sunday. 

This was at the riverside in front of Merchant Court and Clarke Quay Central Mall.

As a result, Mr Singh fell backwards and hit the back of his head on the edge of the steps leading to the river.

He fell into the river and drowned.

In an earlier statement, the police said they received a call for help for a man who had fallen into the river that night.

Divers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) were deployed to perform an underwater search.

Mr Singh’s body was retrieved from the waters and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The police identified Legha with the help of police cameras and closed-circuit television camera footage and arrested him.

He was remanded for investigations after being charged.

If convicted of causing death by a rash act, Legha could be jailed for up to five years, fined, or both.

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Matriarch of family who abused ‘slave’ nearly to death and chained her to toilet, jailed

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SINGAPORE: The matriarch of a family that abused an intellectually disabled woman they turned into their slave was sentenced to 17 years and 10 months’ jail on Tuesday (Jul 2).

Hasmah Sulong, 73, is the last of several family members to be sentenced in a case that dragged for years and almost went to trial. When her jail term was read out, a woman in the public gallery began sobbing.

The victim, who was 27 at the time of the abuse, initially sought refuge with Hasmah’s family after running away from home but was soon turned into the family’s slave after angering one of Hasmah’s daughters.

Over one-and-a-half years from mid-2016, the victim was tortured by Hasmah and her two daughters, Hasniza and Haslinda Ismail.

Haslinda alleged that the victim had made a sexual advance towards her husband.

The women fractured one of the victim’s toes, knocked out her teeth and splashed hot water on her.

Despite the victim suffering burn injuries, blisters and incontinence, the family did not get medical help for her, instead applying Dettol and cream on her wounds.

When Haslinda accused the victim of stealing, Hasmah chained her up. She also instructed one of her sons to affix a metal plate with a hook to a wall to secure her position.

The victim was in that position between eight and 12 hours daily and had to sweep and mop the house before she was allowed to eat breakfast.

She was also taken to Malaysia to clean a house there, where Haslinda splashed hot oil on her.

The victim was later moved and chained to the toilet bowl because she lost control of her bowels.

She began oozing dark liquid from her mouth and nose in January 2018 and a stench emanated from her body, with pus coming from her wounds.

She was finally taken to hospital via an ambulance in early 2018 in a dangerously ill state and was not expected to survive the next day, as she had pneumonia and sepsis from her wounds.

She was revived after eight hours of resuscitation in the Emergency Department and discharged more than three months after admission, but suffers permanent injuries to this day – including 10 missing teeth, permanent vision issues in her right eye and a deformed ear.

She was examined at the Institute of Mental Health and found to have mild intellectual disability that would have affected her ability to seek help.

LESS RESISTANCE TO TORTURE THAN A CHILD

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ng Jun Chong said the victim just “sat there” and allowed her toes to be twisted by the women.

“A child could have perhaps offered more resistance,” he said.

Mr Chong, along with fellow prosecutors Mr Han Ming Kuang and Ms Grace Chua, sought 17 to 19 years’ jail for Hasmah.

Hasmah pleaded guilty to five charges related to the abuse, with several others taken into consideration.

Defence lawyer Amarick Gill asked for 15 years instead, asking the court to consider his client’s age and plea of guilt.

He kept his mitigation brief and said the plea of guilt had spared the traumatised victim “what would have been a significant cross-examination”.

The plea has also saved the court time, as well as the time of the 49 prosecution witnesses who were set to testify.

The lawyer acknowledged the “horrors” descended on the victim by Hasmah and her family members and said he had not stated anything in his mitigation plea to slight the victim or even go into “whatever allegedly transpired to start this ruckus”.

“Hasmah apologises to the victim, both for what she has done, and also what her children have done,” said the lawyer.

He told the judge that her sentencing would bring closure to Hasmah, her family as well as the victim.

The prosecution did not seek a compensation order, saying Hasmah has been unemployed for some time and does not appear to have the financial means to make compensation.

Justice Valerie Thean said the offences were “really horrific”, with the family forcing the victim into servitude and leaving her with permanent and serious injuries.

“I have taken into account that the accused is 73. If not for her age, given the overall seriousness of this … I would have made more offences run consecutively, and the total sentence would be more than 20 years,” said Justice Thean.

She allowed Hasmah to see her family before being taken to jail.

Hasmah’s jail term is the longest of all her family members involved.

In 2021, Haslinda received eight-and-a-half years’ jail for her involvement, while Hasniza was given three years.

Their brothers, Muhammad Iskandar Ismail and Muhammad Iski Ismail, who had lesser roles in the abuse, received eight months and about three months’ jail respectively.

Haslinda’s husband was given three weeks’ jail in 2020 for slapping the victim’s face on his wife’s instruction.

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