Man charged with killing daughter

Man charged with killing daughter

Man charged with killing daughter

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

07 February 2014| last updated at 12:48AM
By KHAIRAH N. KARIM | news@nst.com.my

KAJANG: The men's ward of  Kajang Hospital was transformed into a courtroom yesterday when a man, who allegedly slashed his daughter to death and injured his two other children last week, faced three criminal charges.

The charges were read out to Norazam Mohammad, 43, who had been warded for head injuries sustained during his attempted getaway in the incident.

The father of six said he understood the charges read to him before magistrate A. Jalil Salam.

For the first count, he was charged with murdering Zulaikha Norazman, 7, at Section 4, Bandar Baru Bangi about 4pm on Jan 30.

For the second and third counts, he was charged with the attempted murder of Maryam Norazam, 10, and Liyana Norazam, 12, by allegedly causing hurt to them at the same place and time.

Deputy public prosecutor Sri Abirami prosecuted while Nasar Khan represented the accused. No plea was recorded and the magistrate fixed Feb 25 for mention.

Norazam was accompanied by his wife, Umi Supya Ismail, at his bedside.

It was reported that on Jan 30, the accused's 15-year-old daughter had returned from school and witnessed her father attacking her youngest sister with a parang.

Upon hearing her screaming for help, the accused allegedly attacked his two other daughters, who were in the family's Bandar Baru Bangi home.

One had a finger severed, while the other was slashed in the neck.

Police later found the accused lying near a river, about 300m from his house. He sustained head injuries as he tried to jump across the river to escape.

Magistrate A. Jalil Salam (left) and investigating officer Assistant Superintendent S. Suresh (right) arriving at Kajang Hospital yesterday. Bernama pic

Najib: Find root cause of crisis

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

07 February 2014| last updated at 12:39AM

KUALA LUMPUR: THE cabinet has ordered the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to get to the root of the Sungai Batu Ferringhi pollution and solve the problem once and for all.

  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has  expressed concern over the issue, which is threatening to put Penang on the world map for all the wrong reasons.

  The New Straits Times learned that Najib had given the lead task of mitigating the problem to the ministry.

   Natural Resources and Environment  Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel is expected to present to the cabinet a comprehensive report to explain the cause and solutions to the problem.

  Palanivel said yesterday Najib had told the cabinet that he wanted all agencies under the ministries to mobilise their resources and expertise, and solve the problem fast.

  "The prime minister and I discussed the appalling pollution issue in Batu Ferringhi and he wants my ministry to take charge in resolving this issue. My ministry will work with the relevant agencies to solve the problem soon as possible."   

Palanivel and several personnel from the ministry are scheduled to visit Sungai Batu Ferringhi and Batu Ferringhi by Sunday to assess the situation.

  Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the cabinet was concerned that pollution in Batu Ferringhi would affect the the health and livelihood of Penangites.

  "The prime minister told the agencies to pull out all the stops to prevent a recurrence."   

He said Najib was also concerned that the crisis would affect Penang's status as one of the country's tourism assets if it was not addressed quickly.

  "Penang has been listed by Lonely Planet as the world's No. 1 culinary spot for this year. This issue could affect tourist arrivals to Penang and hamper the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 initiative."

  Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam's main concern is the cascading health effects on the people.

  Dr Subramaniam's chief gripe was the fact that nobody had claimed responsibility over the environmental disaster in the state.

  "The cabinet views this with concern and it was unanimous that the offender cannot be let off as it had caused so much damage.

 "When the environment is polluted, everyone is affected. The effect could be be dangerous... someone needs to own up," he said, adding that it was crucial for Palanivel's ministry to pinpoint the source of pollution.

  This, he said, was important as knowing the root cause would enable the ministry to plug any future problems and avoid a recurrence.

  "This is a problem for all to address.  On the part of my ministry, this kind of pollution not only adversely impacts businesses and the tourism sector but also poses serious health issues."   

Dr Subramaniam's ministry had, on Tuesday, called for the Batu Ferringhi beach to be closed to the public, pending the results of the analysis on water samples.  

  Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said his ministry and the Penang Public Works Department would help the relevant agencies in dealing with the crisis, if needed.

  The NST had, since Monday, run the "Batu Ferringhi Shame" series, exposing the serious pollution in the popular tourist belt, caused by contaminated,  black-coloured water flowing into the Batu Ferringhi waters.   The pollution was made worse by severe erosion at the beach.

  It was reported that the Department of Environment believed that the black-coloured water contained the dreaded Escherichia coli  and advised the people to stay away from the water.

  While national sewerage company Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) had been blamed, including by the state government for the debacle, it has maintained that it was not its pipe that was spewing the contentious discharge.

  The department is expected to release the water sample readings taken from the source of the pollution, today.

IWK officials are expected to take the press on a tour of its Batu Ferringhi water treatment plant to prove the body's "innocence".

The contaminated waters of Sungai Batu Ferringhi flowing into the sea off Batu Ferringhi. Pic by Danial Saad

Harun's lawyer seeks to have charges dropped

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

07 February 2014| last updated at 12:46AM

The 48-year-old is facing 10 separate charges of practising and disseminating deviant teachings, including possessing materials that are against the teachings of Islam.

On April 24 last year, the music composer and adviser to several investment companies pleaded not guilty in the Syariah Court here to committing the offences at Lorong Pandan Damai here between February and April 4.

Harun, who allegedly claimed that he was "Tuhan 2013" (God of 2013), was released on RM15,000 bail in two sureties.

However, he failed to turn up in court and a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

Yesterday, Harun arrived in a wheelchair at the Syariah Court Complex at 9.30am. He and three of his followers are facing charges for the murder of Pahang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) enforcement chief Ahmad Raffli Abd Malek, at the High Court here.

Escorted by several Jaip officers and policemen, Harun appeared weak as he had been hospitalised after suffering a stroke while in the police lock-up.

Syariah judge Abdul Wahid Md Ali later fixed the trial for April 24 to allow Harun's counsel, Abdullah Sidek, to get the relevant documents and witnesses to defend the accused.

Abdullah also submitted a representation to the Attorney-General's Chambers requesting the charges to be dropped because of Harun's poor health following the stroke.

Harun Mat Saad leaving the Kuantan Syariah Court yesterday. Pic by Mustaffa Kamal

UKAS partners to be screened first

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

07 February 2014| last updated at 12:21AM

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said this would ensure that only deserving companies were selected or assisted by the government.

"It will empower better relationship and cooperation between selected companies and the government, and avert any problems or consequences which may ensue," he said prior to the handing over of documents for the Corporate Integrity Pledge by participating companies involved in the public-private partnership projects and Mudahcara Fund here yesterday.

He said the screening was part of an initiative to make UKAS a leading organisation on integrity.

"This clearly shows our seriousness in eliminating corruption," he said.

The ceremony involving 35 private companies, was witnessed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa and UKAS director-general Datuk Ahmad Husni Hussain.

Ex-assistant lodges report against MP

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

07 February 2014| last updated at 12:18AM

R.K. Muthu lodged the report at the district police station here. He said he had reminded Kulasegaran to pay up many times.

"I am asking for RM64,353 which is derived from the RM1,500 monthly salary promised to me by Kulasegaran."

Muthu, a one-term assemblyman for Teja, said he would be filling a suit against Kulasegaran soon.

He claimed that despite widespread media reports on the matter, Kulasegaran did not contact him to sort out the issue.


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A-G: There's no political interference in case

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

07 February 2014| last updated at 12:16AM
By A. AZIM IDRIS | news@nst.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: ATTORNEY-GENERAL Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail yesterday dismissed any notion of political interference behind the case involving two former officers of a minister who made headlines recently.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) consultation and corruption prevention advisory panel, he explained that the case needed to be studied rigorously before the two could be charged.

Several members of the panel, led by chairman Datuk Johan Jaaffar, visited Gani at his office yesterday morning to seek clarification on the delay in charging the duo.

Last week, the MACC said in a statement that an ex-political secretary with the title of Datuk, and a director of one of the foundations headed by the Datuk, would be charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions court under the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.

The case involved more than RM1.1 million and another charge of cheating involving RM1 million.

Gani said he was allowing the MACC to conduct a thorough investigation to enable the agency to gather information and evidence to support their case.

"Many quarters, from various backgrounds, have written to me (about the matter) -- politicians, including the opposition, and members of the public.

"Is this considered political interference?"

Gani said he needed to be unfettered by any political intervention because he was accountable for his actions.

Recently, Johan, who represented the 11-member panel, raised concerns over the delay, saying speculation was rife in the media that the delay was due to the meddling by those with political interests.

The MACC had earlier detained the two suspects who were subsequently released on bail of RM50,000 each.

It is understood the case involved some three foundations that were formed between the 1980s and 2011 but were not registered accordingly, operating as private companies.

The MACC believed the operations defeated the purpose of the foundations. Johan said the panel had found Gani's explanation satisfactory.

"We understand his clarification that more concrete evidence was required before any charging could be done.

"We are confident the chambers will perform its duty and that any action taken is based on the facts that were readily available at the time."

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail (centre) shaking hands with MACC consultation and corruption prevention advisory panel chairman Datuk Johan Jaaffar at the Attorney-General's Chambers in Putrajaya yesterday. With them are other members of the panel. Pic by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor