SNAPSHOT | Albert welcomes Azam's legal action; 77 immigration officers sacked since 2022

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm and 6pm.

6pm

Corruption

• Businessperson Albert Tei has welcomed former MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's legal action against him, after the former implicated the latter in several allegations concerning the Sabah corruption scandal.

  In a statement, Tei (above) said that once he receives the letter from Azam's lawyer, he will reveal all the evidence against Azam.

  "As soon as I receive the lawyer’s letter of demand from him, I will disclose all evidence and the names of witnesses supporting the allegations of the intimidation incident through media channels and news portals," Tei said.

  Earlier today, the New Straits Times reported Azam saying that he will consult his legal representatives prior to determining his next course of action against Tei.

  Yesterday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director M Kumar confirmed that police are expected to summon Azam to facilitate a probe into a report lodged by Tei, who Kumar said claimed he was threatened by Azam through the latter's lawyer.

Immigration

• Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said that 77 officers have been sacked from the department from 2022 to date, of the 994 disciplinary cases resolved by the agency.

  

  Bernama reported Zakaria saying that for this year, 23 disciplinary cases have been settled, with eight officers receiving punitive measures.

  "Regardless of their rank, we will take action based on evidence," he reportedly told a press conference today at the Millennium Temporary Immigration Depot in Beranang.

  Zakaria said misconduct included breaches of standard operating procedures, approving matters beyond authority, manipulating counter settings, absenteeism, drug abuse, and smuggling contraband to detainees at depots.

Sexual misconduct

• A 42-year-old male teacher has been remanded for two days beginning today to assist investigations into an alleged sexual misconduct case involving a secondary school student in Besut.

  According to Bernama, the remand order was issued by the Besut Magistrate’s Court to enable investigations to be carried out under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

  The report quoted Besut district police chief Rozaime Ab Rahman as saying that the teacher, who serves at a secondary school in the district, was arrested at around 3pm yesterday after two students lodged police reports.

  

  The allegation involving a male teacher accused of molesting a male student in Besut reportedly gained traction online after it was shared by a Facebook user several days ago.

Previously at 2pm | Govt to study prison riot findings; Zafrul ready to defend Pandan seat for PKR in GE16

11am | Dept to cooperate in prison riot findings review; police reports filed over stray dog’s death

SNAPSHOT | Cops to summon Azam over Albert report; GE16 will be 'free-for-all' contest, says Rafizi

SNAPSHOT | MACC denies blocking Albert from lodging report; PAS accepts syura leader's apology

Albert lodges police report against Azam over Sabah scandal, claims threats

'Forgot to take medicine, depressed': Azam ridicules anti-MACC protesters

Albert escalates campaign against Azam, seeks royal intervention