SNAPSHOT | Seeking solutions for M'sian students in border areas; Sabah rep lodges police reports

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm and 9pm.

9pm

Education

• The Education Ministry and the Kelantan government will seek solutions for schoolchildren who crossed the Malaysia-Thailand border illegally to attend schools around Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas.

  The issue emerged after 34 schoolchildren aged seven to 16 were arrested at around 7am yesterday while crossing Sungai Golok. They were later found to be Malaysian citizens residing in Thailand.

  “Although they live near the border, these children are Malaysian citizens entitled to education. We do not want them to drop out because of this issue.

  “They must be able to continue their studies while complying with the measures to be introduced,” Bernama quoted Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Fadzli Hassan as saying.

  One proposal, he said, is to provide accommodation or special hostels for the affected students.

Misinformation

• Former Sabah deputy chief minister Jaujan Sambakong has dismissed rumours of his death today, after posters expressing condolences for him were circulated online.

  He reportedly told New Straits Times that he has lodged police reports about the claim, adding that he was taken aback by it.

  

  “I am still in good health and yesterday I was out meeting people in several areas. I was indeed shocked by the spread of the false news,” said the Sulabayan assemblyperson from Warisan.

  Warisan president Shafie Apdal confirmed Jaujan is alive and well, and continues to perform his duties.

  “The dissemination of false news claiming he has passed away is irresponsible and inhumane. Regardless of political differences, some boundaries should not be crossed,” he said on Facebook.

6pm

Convoy

• Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has defended the coalition’s organising of a motorcycle convoy amid a global energy crisis.

  According to the New Straits Times, he said the initiative promoted safe and responsible motorcycle riding, and a fundraiser was also held on the same day for victims of drink-driving.

  

  “There is no connection to claims of fuel wastage. The programme carried a positive message and should be seen in that context,” he was quoted as saying.

  The 10km convoy was led by PN chief Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, together with menteris besar of Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.

  Malaysiakini estimated the convoy involving 15,000 people would have consumed about 4,500 litres of petrol, or RM8,955 at subsidised prices.

READ MORE: Fuel crisis: PM visits 3 states in 3 days, thousands ride with PN MBs in 10km 'convoy'

‘Fuel leakage’

• The government is considering tightening the screws on fuel purchases in petrol stations within a 50km radius of the country’s borders to curb smuggling.

  The Star quoted Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh as saying that they are mulling stricter fleet card compliance and rigorous audits.

  

  She added that the ministry has already deployed static enforcement officers and mobile patrols to monitor high-risk stations, and is also integrating CCTV feeds and digital tracking to flag vehicles making suspicious fuel purchases.

• Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today that the police have been instructed to refine their deployment mechanisms and legal framework for personnel, particularly regarding enforcement at petrol stations.

  He said the need to station police at petrol stations along the border areas arises as these premises also serve as entry points for smuggling activities.

  

  “At present, some 4,000 petrol stations have been identified as operating around the country’s borders. However, we are not looking to guard all 4,000 stations. We are focusing on 170 stations located near the border.

  “First, we need to determine what deployment entails, which laws will be applied, and which units will be assigned,” he said during the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly.

  He also said enforcement efforts should focus on outlets that recorded a sudden spike in sales, based on data from relevant ministries.

READ MORE: Govt to deploy cops at petrol stations to curb fuel supply leakage

Court

• The Kuala Lumpur High Court has set Nov 3 for the sedition trial against Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

  MalaysiaGazette reported that judge Aslam Zainuddin fixed six days for the hearing - Nov 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, and 13 - to hear a charge against Muhyiddin, who is accused of making seditious remarks touching on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

  

  The alleged seditious statement reportedly concerns the Pagoh MP’s claim that he was not invited by the king to be sworn in as prime minister after the 15th general election, despite allegedly having the support of 115 of 222 MPs at the time.

  During the proceedings, Muhyiddin’s lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad, informed the court that the defence team had requested trial dates after September to allow the Jana Wibawa case involving the former prime minister, held at a separate court, to be heard first.

2pm

Fuel crisis

• Rising prices for diesel and other construction materials are expected to cause further delays in road construction and maintenance projects, said Deputy Works Minister Ahmad Maslan.

  This is due to their heavy reliance on diesel-powered machinery such as lorries and road rollers.

  

  However, Ahmad said that contractors are not permitted to halt work, and that any application to scale down operations to manage costs has yet to be formally approved by the ministry.

School accident

• The teacher believed to have crashed into two students at SMK Tanjong Mas has been remanded for two days.

  The crash killed 13-year-old Nur Fatimatul Hawa Azaudin. Another student was also badly injured in the incident, which occurred outside the school surau just after the two had completed their afternoon prayers.

  

  It was reported that the accident occurred when the driver accidentally hit the accelerator, causing her to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the students.

  The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless driving that causes death.

• Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek posted on Facebook yesterday that her ministry has launched an internal probe into compliance with standard operating procedures after yesterday’s fatal crash.

  

  She said the state education department is also organising assistance for the deceased’s family.

  Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in expressing condolences, said the accident should serve as a lesson for all to be careful and avoid negligence.

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