Chinese tourist abducted in Sabah to return home today

Chinese tourist abducted in Sabah to return home today


Chinese tourist abducted in Sabah to return home today

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:05 PM PDT

SEPANG: Chinese tourist Gao Hua Yuan, 29, who was
rescued by Malaysian authorities after being abducted by seven-armed men last
April, will be sent back to her country of origin today, said Inspector-General
of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar .

He said the Malaysian government was arranging for Gao's safe return to
China to be with her family.

"She will be brought here (KLIA) from Sabah and then we will arrange for her
to be back with her family as soon as possible, if possible today," he told
reporters at the airport before leaving for London here today.

He said arrangements would also be made to send Marcy Dayawan, 40, a
Filipino hotel worker who was abducted with Gao, back to her country.

Asked whether the media would be given an opportunity to interview Gao
before she was to be sent home, Khalid said it would be better to not disturb
her.

"I don't think she want (to be interviewed). Don't disturb her. Furthermore,
she has long being under duress. Let her meet her family first," he added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tweeted last night that no ransom was
paid for the release of the two women and expressed his appreciation and thanks
to the security forces for securing their release.

Najib attributed the success to the cooperation between the Philippines and
Malaysian security forces.

Gao, from Shanghai, and Dayawan, an employee at the Singamata Adventures and
Reef Resort, were kidnapped by a group of seven armed men who burst into the
resort at about 10.30pm on April 2.

The 60-room resort is located about two nautical miles from Semporna town.
There were 61 tourists at the resort then, comprising 61 Chinese nationals, an
Iranian and a Malaysian.

Gao had travelled to the resort alone to attend a diving course to obtain
her diving licence. -Bernama

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PRK Teluk Intan: Sejumlah 22.95 peratus keluar mengundi sehingga 10 pagi

Posted: 30 May 2014 08:01 PM PDT

TELUK INTAN: Sejumlah 22.95 peratus atau 13,754 pengundi
telah keluar mengundi pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Parlimen Teluk Intan
sehingga 10 pagi ini, menurut kenyataan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR).

Cuaca cerah pagi ini memboleh pengundi menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka
seawal 8 pagi.

Calon Barisan Nasional (BN) Datuk Mah Siew Keong dan isteri, Datin Yeoh Pooi
Hoon mengundi di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Abdul Aziz pada 9.10 pagi.

Tinjauan Bernama mendapati pengundi warga emas turut dibantu petugas SPR
dengan kerusi roda untuk masuk ke pusat pengundian

Peraih undi kedua-dua calon juga kelihatan berada 50 meter dari pusat
pengundian. – Bernama

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Teluk Intan by-election: 35 polling centres open at 8am

Posted: 30 May 2014 07:32 PM PDT

TELUK INTAN: A total of 35 polling centres in the Teluk
Intan Parliamentary constituency opened at 8am today to allow 59,927 voters to
elect their new representative in the Teluk Intan Parliamentary seat
by-election.

The by-election for the Teluk Intan parliamentary constituency which will
see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Mah Siew
Keong and DAP's Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, has two state constituencies, namely
Pasir Bedamar and Changkat Jong.

All polling station will close at 5pm today, except the polling station in
Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (T) Ladang Sungai Timah which is scheduled to
close at 4pm since there are less voters in the area.

Once all the polling centres are closed at 5pm, the counting of votes are
expected to begin at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Abdul Rahman Talib in Jalan
Changkat Jong, here.

Perak Election Commission (EC) director Ahmad Adli Abdullah expects more
than 80 percent voters to turn out and cast their votes on polling day, today.

He added that the result of the polls would be announced at 9pm if
everything runs smoothly.

The by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Seah Leong
Peng, 48 from DAP who died after a long battle with cancer on May 1.

In the last May 2013 General Election, Seah who was involved in a
three-cornered fight, beat two other candidates by a 7,313-vote majority.

Meanwhile, weather in Teluk Intan was sunny in the morning but the Malaysian
Meteorology Department has forecast rain in the afternoon. -Bernama

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Mutharika wins Malawi’s disputed presidential vote

Posted: 30 May 2014 05:45 PM PDT

BLANTYRE, Malawi: Democratic Progressive Party leader Peter Mutharika was declared the winner of Malawi's disputed presidential election on Friday after defeating President Joyce Banda.

Mutharika, the brother of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, took 36.4 per cent of the votes cast against Banda's 20.2 per cent, the electoral commission said.

The results were announced minutes after the high court refused a last-ditch attempt to block their release and allow time for a recount.

Electoral commission chief Maxon Mbendera declared Mutharika "president-elect" after last week's vote, which Banda said was marred by "serious irregularities" and "null and void".

The results showed that Banda was beaten into third place by Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who garnered 27.8 per cent of the vote.

Party spokeswoman Jessie Kabwila told AFP the MCP, which had made the bid for a recount, would challenge the results in court.

"We are disappointed because this is not a credible election. We will fight through legal means…we are not taking this lying down."

Mutharika is set to take the reins of the impoverished southern African country under the shadow of a treason charge.

The 74-year-old brother of former president Bingu wa Mutharika is accused of attempting to conceal his brother's death in office two years ago in an attempt to prevent Banda – then vice-president – from assuming power.

Banda prevailed and took office as decreed by the constitution, booting the former foreign minister out of the administration.

Mutharika, a law professor and former cabinet minister, faces additional counts of inciting a mutiny and conspiracy to commit a felony, along with other officials.

The trial is still pending, but analysts say it is likely the case will be set aside as Malawi's presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution as long as they are in office.

There is speculation that once Mutharika is in power he could turn the tables on Banda and have her charged with corruption over a US$30 million graft scandal dubbed "Cashgate".

Banda has claimed the credit for uncovering the fraud, which saw aid money syphoned into top government officials' pockets. But critics, including Mutharika, say the funds went into her party's election war-chest.

"Banda did everything in her power to prevent Mutharika from becoming president… and then bringing charges against her," said Clive Gabay of the Queen Mary University of London.

The election in the tiny southern African nation was dogged by controversy from the start, with some polling stations opening 10 hours late and some voting stations recording more votes than there were registered voters.

Anyone with complaints has seven days to lodge petitions with the courts.

Riot police patrolled key areas of the commercial capital Blantyre as the results were announced after earlier demonstrations turned violent.

One person was killed when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters demanding a recount in the southeastern town of Mangochi.

A teenager was "killed by a teargas canister, which exploded in his hands as he was trying to throw it back at us," Mangochi police officer Elijah Kachikuwo told AFP.

The election imbroglio is unlikely to help Malawi's dire economic problems.

After taking office Banda oversaw the devaluation of the kwacha currency by 50 per cent, the easing of foreign exchange restrictions, along with the raising of fuel prices and cutting of subsidies.

That helped restore an International Monetary Fund (IMF) credit line, but the country remains overly dependent on agriculture and foreign aid to survive.

Mutharika has said he will not pursue trickle-down economics, but will implement "bottom-up economics aimed at getting the poor out of poverty into prosperity".

Some 7.5 million people were eligible to choose a president, lawmakers and local government councillors in the fifth democratic polls since the end of decades of one-party rule in 1994. - AFP

Khatam Al-Quran to mark RBAF 53rd anniversary

Posted: 30 May 2014 05:43 PM PDT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) will celebrate its 53rd anniversary today. A number of events have been arranged in glorifying the celebration. Last night, a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony was held at the Surau of the Ministry of Defence in Bolkiah Garrison, Brudirect reported.

Present was the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat. Also present was the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Md Tawih Abdullah.

The Khatam Al-Quran ceremony marked the end of fifty three times reading of Al-Quran by officers and personnel of RBAF.

This year's Khatam Al-Quran ceremony gathered Al-Quran readers from RBAF units of the Ministry of Defence, Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), RBAF Training Institute, RBAF Defence Academy and Special Forces Regiment.

The ceremony was intended to give encouragement to RBAF's officers and personnel to read the Quran and inject spiritual elements to officers and members in carrying their task entrusted with great responsibility.

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Empat ahli ‘Geng Ah Teng’ dicekup

Posted: 30 May 2014 03:07 PM PDT

POLIS percaya banyak kes curi kenderaan dan pecah rumah di bandar raya Kuching dapat diselesaikan dengan penangkapan empat anggota 'Geng Ah Teng' awal pagi semalam.

Timbalan Ketua Polis Daerah Kuching Superintenden Fauzilan Abdul Aziz berkata, dalam serbuan yang dilancarkan ke atas sebuah bilik hotel di Padungan sekitar jam 12.06 pagi semalam, dua lelaki dan seorang wanita ditangkap.

Malah, menurutnya, sebuah kereta Proton Perdana yang dilaporkan hilang di Flat KMC 24 Mei lalu dan Proton Waja serta pelbagai barangan elektronik yang dipercayai hasil kegiatan pecah rumah turut ditemui.

"Kita menangkap tiga suspek dan merampas sebuah kereta (Proton Perdana) yang dilaporkan hilang sebelum ini, selain beberapa barangan elektronik," katanya pada sidang media di sini, semalam.

Bertindak atas siasatan dan maklumat risikan, pada kira-kira jam 3 pagi hari yang sama pasukan bertindak Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Kuching melancarkan serbuan ke atas sebuah rumah di Stampin dan menangkap seorang lelaki yang merupakan rakan subahat ketiga-tiga suspek.

Fauzilan berkata, hasil tangkapan tersebut, pasukan serbuan merampas sebuah lagi kereta Proton Perdana yang dilaporkan hilang 28 Mei lalu di Jalan Stampin.

"Kes ini masih dalam siasatan lanjut, namun hasil daripada tangkapan ini, kita percaya banyak kes curi kenderaan dan pecah rumah dapat diselesaikan.

"Mana-mana individu yang pernah menjadi mangsa kes pecah rumah diminta datang ke IPD Kuching untuk membuat pengecaman barang kes," ujarnya.

Menurutnya lagi, kesemua suspek didapati positif dadah jenis syabu (Ampethamine/Methapethamine).

Tiga suspek direman selama empat hari ini bermula 30 Mei hingga 2 Jun.

Jika sabit kesalahan curi kenderaan di bawah Seksyen 379A Kanun Keseksaan, penjara tidak kurang satu tahun dan tidak lebih tujuh tahun dan dikenakan denda akan dikenakan.

Kesalahan pecah rumah dan curi di bawah Seksyen 457 Kanun Keseksaan, boleh dipenjara sehingga lima tahun dan boleh dilanjutkan hingga 14 tahun.

Fauzilan menasihati orang ramai yang balik kampung untuk memaklumkan kepada pihak polis.

"Kalau ada melihat kenderaan yang mencurigakan, segera lapor kepada kita. Ini kerana kes pecah rumah dan curi kenderaan selalu berlaku pada musim perayaan," jelasnya.

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Fasa baharu Malaysia-China

Fasa baharu Malaysia-China


Fasa baharu Malaysia-China

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BEIJING 30 Mei - Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menegaskan fasa baharu hubungan Malaysia-China untuk tempoh 40 tahun akan datang perlu diperluaskan kepada aspek sosiobudaya, nilai-nilai dan...

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Pengebom berani mati Malaysia

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KUALA LUMPUR 30 Mei - Ahmad Tarmimi Maliki, 26, adalah seorang pekerja kilang biasa di Selangor tetapi di luar rutin aktiviti hariannya, dia rupa-rupanya telah direkrut sebagai pengebom berani mati. Tanpa...

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Kanak-kanak dibunuh kejam dipercayai akibat dendam

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Malaysia akan teruskan kerjasama cari MH370

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Kerajaan tidak menipu - TPM

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Kerajaan komited bantu rakyat luar bandar

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TELUK INTAN 30 Mei - Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah akan terus menyalurkan bantuan kepada rakyat khususnya di kawasan perkampungan bagi membolehkan mereka menikmati kehidupan yang lebih selesa.

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Polis tumpaskan Geng Asroy

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PUTRAJAYA 30 Mei - Polis berjaya melumpuhkan satu kumpulan pecah rumah dikenali sebagai Geng Asroy dengan tertangkapnya empat lelaki termasuk dua pelajar sekolah dalam serbuan di sekitar sini dan Perak...

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Syarikat Malaysia terajui autopsi digital

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REHDA sasar nilai jualan RM1.135 bilion

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Indonesia uji produk Cadbury

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JAKARTA 30 Mei - Pihak berkuasa Indonesia dilapor menjalankan ujian ke atas coklat jenama Cadbury selepas dua daripada produk terbabit dikesan mempunyai asid deoksiribonukliek (DNA) babi oleh kerajaan Malaysia...

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Pesta Kaamatan kicks off

Pesta Kaamatan kicks off


Pesta Kaamatan kicks off

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

PENAMPANG: THE first day of Pesta Kaamatan yesterday saw Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman performing the monungkava kalabau (capturing buffalo using a rope) as a launching gimmick to the traditional sports competition.

He succeeded in securing the rope, tied to form a loop at the end, around a replica buffalo after two tries.

The monungkava activity was a testament of the importance of the animal as a symbol of wealth for the families back in the olden days.

Buffaloes are used in the padi planting process, and also served as dowry in engagement and wedding ceremonies.

Monungkava was practised when villagers needed to capture wild buffaloes to tame them for these purposes.

It is one of the traditional sports visitors get to see at the Harvest Festival held annually at Kadazandusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan building.

Other events featured are a slingshot challenge, arm wrestling or mipulos, tug of war and blowpipe competition.

Musa, when launching the exhibition and traditional sports in conjunction with Pesta Kaamatan, said such culturally-tied activities would help visitors gain deeper understanding about the culture of the people in Sabah.

He said stalls promoting local delicacies and handicraft would not only help generate income for traders but also showcase the uniqueness of the festival which was celebrated by the Kadazandusuns and Muruts.

In his message issued in conjunction with the celebration, Musa reminded the people to continue supporting the government in maintaining the prosperity and development in the state.

He reiterated the government's full commitment to enhancing the security in the waters off Sabah's east coast, and called on everyone to work together in strengthening peace and unity.

Present yesterday were his deputy, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is the Huguan Siou (paramount leader) for the Kadazandusun-Murut community and Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili as implementation and coordination committee chairman for the state-level Pesta Kaamatan.

Meanwhile, thousands are expected to throng the venue today with the culmination of the festival as an Unduk Ngadau (beauty queen) for 2014 will be crowned.

Datuk Seri Musa Aman (right) tossing a rope around the horns of a replica buffalo to mark the launching of Pesta Kaamatan or the Harvest Festival at the Hongkod Koisaan building in Penampang yesterday. Pic by Lano Lan

Cops search Sungai Klang for murder suspect

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: POLICE believe the man    who repeatedly struck a 21/2-year-old girl till her head was severed on Thursday night, had    jumped into Sungai Klang    and drowned  after a witness caught him in the act.

In the 9pm incident near a KTM station in Jalan Tun Sambanthan here, the man, in his 30s, had allegedly lured the girl away from an individual, whom her mother, Siti Salmy Suib, had asked to help keep an eye on her daughter, as she had to go to the restroom.

City police Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Gan Kong Meng said the woman, who was homeless, returned minutes later and failed to locate her daughter.

It was soon after that she learnt that her daughter had been abducted and murdered.

Gan said the suspect, believed to be dark-skinned, had first tried to drown the toddler in the river after having taken her to the river bank.

"The man is believed to have repeatedly struck the child on the head and neck with a ceramic tile, severing her head.

"When a passer-by spotted him attacking the toddler, the man jumped into the river to escape.

"The girl's severed head was found beside her body."

The toddler was only clad in a diaper.

The witness, who saw the suspect taking the victim towards the murder scene from a shopping complex near Pudu Sentral, had come forward to assist investigators in identifying the suspect.

"Police have disseminated the description of the suspect to all stations and officers, and a manhunt has been launched to track him.

"We are combing Sungai Klang for the suspect, who we believe had drowned. But, if there is no sign of his body in three days' time, his photofit will be released," Gan said, adding that police found a pair of slippers and a ceramic tile with bloodstains on it, believed to be the murder weapon.

He said police had recorded the statements of several people, including the victim's mother and friend.

Asked if the mother would be charged with negligence, his deputy, Khairi Ahrasa, did not rule out the possibility.

However, he said, it would be after the "mourning period".

Khairi denied that the girl was a victim of a ritual killing.

Gan said investigators had obtained images of the suspect from a closed-circuit television recording at the complex.

The city Fire and Rescue Department's operation to look for the suspect in Sungai Klang was halted at 4.30pm because of rain.

Its assistant director (operations), Azizan Ismail, said the operation would resume today and that colleagues from Selangor would be roped in to help in the search.

A security guard at Kota Raya Complex, who saw the child being taken away by the suspect, said the victim's mother would normally bring the child along wherever she went.

"This place is like their home and the child gets easily attached to those who approach her or give her food."

The man, in his 40s, said he did not suspect the worst when he saw the suspect walking away with the toddler from the fourth floor of the complex.

"The suspect might have lured the child by giving her food before abducting her."

The security guard, who only knew about the incident through the media yesterday, said he had never seen the suspect before and that the suspect was not among those usually seen with Siti Salmy.

At the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary yesterday, Siti Salmy refused to speak to the press.

She arrived at the morgue at 9am with friends. She was only allowed to claim her child's body at 3pm.

The girl was buried at the Raudhatul Sakinah Muslim cemetery in Gombak.

Family members of the dead toddler could not contain their sorrow at the scene of the crime in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Farizul Hafiz Awang

Najib, Xi reaffirm commitment

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

 BEIJING: CHINESE President Xi Jinping met  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral diplomatic ties.

Xi received Najib and his delegation at the historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse complex in the Haidian district here and held talks that lasted 90 minutes -- longer than originally scheduled.

In his opening remarks, Najib thanked Xi and the Chinese government for the "very warm, grand welcome" in conjunction with the momentous visit marking 40 years of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.

"I carry not only the weight of the government, but also the legacy of what my late father (Tun Abdul Razak Hussein) started 40 years ago.

"I believe that whatever our leaders started 40 years ago, we can carry it forward and we can fulfil the vision and promise of what the past leaders had laid out."

Xi paid tribute to the late Razak and the then Chinese premier Chou En-Lai whom he said had opened a new chapter of friendship and stressed that it was an event "that we will not forget".

Najib said the strategic importance of the bilateral relations should not be affected by the MH370 incident.

"We will do our utmost to find answers to what happened to MH370.

"We owe it to the families and the next of kin that we find closure to this unfortunate and tragic event," Najib said, adding that Malaysia would work closely with Australia and China, among others, in the search efforts.

Xi said China hoped Malaysia would continue to coordinate the search efforts and manage the various aspects of the aftermath.

He hoped the plane would be located as soon as possible.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, later hosted Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, to a private dinner in the same complex.

On Thursday, Najib met Chinese premier Li Keqiang for similar talks.

Both Li and Najib are due to attend a special ceremony today to mark the anniversary, the exact day and also the exact room where Razak and Chou signed the instrument paving the way for Malaysia and China to establish diplomatic ties in 1974.

6 senators sworn in

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

For four of the senators — Datuk Yunus Kurus, Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader, Datuk Chin Su Phin and Norliza Abdul Rahim — it was a reappointment, after having already served for a term.

The two new appointees to the august house for the most recent three-year term are Sungai Petani Umno division deputy head Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff, 41, and Jerai Umno former division chief Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, 56. Bernama

Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang (fourth from left) meeting newly appointed senators (from left) Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff, Datuk Yunus Kurus, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader and Datuk Chin Su Phin. (Below) Norliza Abdul Rahim. Bernama pix


Najib posts Kaamatan, Gawai greetings

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

"We must be appreciative of the realities, where all Malaysians, regardless of background, race, religion and political affiliation, can come together and have the privilege to celebrate the blessings of our fellow Malaysians, together," the prime minister said in Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan greetings posted on his 1Malaysia Blog yesterday.

The Kadazandusun community in Sabah celebrates the two-day Kaamatan, which began yesterday, while the Dayak community in Sarawak will celebrate Gawai Dayak tomorrow and on Monday.

Both celebrations take place at the end of the harvest season, usually at the end of May or early June.

"As we approach the end of May, Malaysians of Kadazandusun and Dayak heritage will celebrate Kaamatan and Gawai, respectively.

"In the spirit of togetherness (as) encompassed in (the concept of) 1Malaysia, I wish all Sarawakians a very happy Gawai day and gayu guru gerai nyamai.

"To all Sabahans, I wish you Kotobian tadau tagazo do Kaamatan."

Najib said even though Malaysians ate rice daily, they tended to overlook its importance. He said padi farmers required ample water for cultivation and Malaysia was blessed with enough rainfall.


Cases of three linked to terror go to High Court

Posted: 30 May 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Magistrate Erry Shahriman Nor Aripin made the decision following an application by deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad.

Azizah Md Yusof, 54, was charged on May 16 with two counts of supporting terrorism through two Facebook accounts.

She allegedly committed the offences at the Special Branch, E8 Division, Bukit Aman police headquarters at 2pm on April 24.

Azizah, a housewife and mother of five, was represented by counsel Nadzarin Wok Nordin and K.C. Suzalena Salleh.

It was reported recently that the police arrested a woman suspected of involvement with nine others in the al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorism networks.

In Taiping, the cases of two men, who were charged with offences related to terrorism, were also transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Magistrate Eyu Ghim Siang transferred the cases after hearing an application by deputy public prosecutor Amril Buang.

Last Friday, Muhammad Armie Fatihah Mohd Hashim, 22, was charged with encouraging violence by promoting an ideology at Kampung Sungai Jernih in Ijok, between 10am and 12.30pm from April 4 to 6.

Mohammad Hafiz Zahri Suparyatnoh, 28, was charged with supporting terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syam, at the same place and time.

One of the two men charged with terrorism is led out of the Taiping magistrate's court yesterday. Pic by Supian Ahmad