Taking back the street

Citizen Arrest !

Two of the suspects brought to the police lock-up

It was a classic example of angry residents taking back the street when they had had enough of robbery and theft cases happening in their own neighbourhood that they decided to take action instead of waiting for the police to make arrest.

On Thursday night citizen arrest action six persons, including a teenager, were arrested on suspicion of attempted house breaking and intimidation.

The incident began at Jalan Semaba in Kuching around 7.15pm when a resident at Taman Kim Lee spotted an unknown man in the compound of his neighbour's unoccupied house and immediately shouted at him.

The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket, took off into a nearby secondary jungle as the resident and several other neighbours went after him.

The group patrolled the surrounding area for over an hour but failed to locate the suspect, who had apparently escaped, and were about to call it quits when a van with three men inside drove up to them.

The trio, who were armed with a wooden club, angrily approached the residents and threatened to harm them for falsely accusing the suspect, who happened to be their friend, of attempted house breaking.

The residents, however, refused to be intimidated and fought back, sending the trio fleeing to their house, which turned out to be in the same housing area.

It was then the residents alerted the police who arrived at the scene to arrest the three men, aged between 26 and 40 years old, at around 8.30pm.

A check of the van found that it had been fitted with false registration plates and the trio were sent to the lockup pending further investigation.

Following the incident, the residents left the Simpang Tiga police station after lodging a report and headed to a coffee shop at Jalan Semaba around 1.45am where they noticed the earlier prime suspect, who was still wearing his red jacket, sitting not far away with two other men and a woman.

Realising he had been spotted, the suspect and his friends fled in a vehicle again with residents in hot pursuit in their own vehicles.

The chase ended at Haji Baki village when residents blocked off the car and apprehended the suspect along with one of his male friend. Another friend and a girl in the vehicle fled the scene on foot.

The police went to the scene and arrested the duo, who are both in their 20s, and brought them to the police station for questioning.

Based on information gathered, patrol officers went back to Haji Baki and arrested a 17-year-old boy who was one of the two who fled earlier.

Yo-YOGA!

Will Yo-ga with me?

I try not to get myself involved in controversy with regards to any religion as we all know we are living in Malaysia with all the ethnic backgrounds and what not.

But somehow the stirring of the ‘hornets’ nest’ issue at the moment is with regards to the so called Yoga ‘Fatwa’ (religious edict) by the Islamic Fatwa council is so hard to ignore or put out of thought.

That is why I try not to issue my own idea on it as you know it might be construed as sensitive as I am not inclined to or practicing the Islamic faith, where people will say ‘What do you know?’.

However there are some Malaysian blogs that I would like to share with regards to the matter especially with the intro from Din Merican on wondering what is happening in Malaysia.

The Other Malaysia blog also agreed that such a ruling is shameful even to the Muslim community and expressed the fear that Muslims in Malaysia are being policed and guarded than ever before.

Kehidupan Bozo questions the wisdom of the move and felt that the council should not try to control the thoughts and ideas of other Muslims.

It was only today that three rulers - from Selangor, Perak and Negeri Sembilan - have expressed disapproval that the monarchy was bypassed in the matter. – Malaysian Insider

Under Malaysian law, the sultans are the head of Islam in their states, and the King is the head of religion for the country.

On Wednesday, due to intense pressure and trying to be popular before his way out Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi added his voice to the issue, saying that "a physical regime with no elements of worship can continue".

So for now back to square one or status quo at the moment and probably to those who issue the verdict, - some heads will roll. More follow up on the issue, if I got the time.

Robbery in City

Robbers make easy picking of Ex-Cop's house

Police investigating the crime scene

Robbers know no bounds when it comes to doing their job, as even a retired policeman and his family were made victims of a robbery early this morning.

In the incident, armed masked robbers broke into the house of a retired police officer and tied up his entire family before escaping with over RM60,000 in valuables.

It took place just after 2am at a double storey house at Kampung Malaysia Jaya in Petra Jaya when seven men armed with a large cutter, hammer and knives entered the house through a side window.

According to the retired cop's 21-year-old son, he woke up after the robbers entered his unlocked bedroom on the ground floor and switched on the lights.

"They had their faces covered with T-shirts and threatened me with their weapons to keep quiet," he said, adding that he was then taken to his cousin's bedroom on the same floor and made to knock on the door.

The armed men first entered an unlocked bedroom where their 70-year-old grandfather and uncle were asleep and overpowered them before forcing them out the room.

The group then encountered the retired cop, who came out of his bedroom to investigate the commotion, and overpowered him as well along with his wife.

Robbers then bound the family hand and foot and taped their mouths shut before warning them against making any noise.

They even threatened to burn the family alive by setting the house on fire using a gas cylinder from the kitchen if their victims made any noise or attempted to escape.

The robbers then spent the next hour ransacking each room upstairs of an estimated RM45,000 worth of gold jewellery, RM2,000 in cash, six handphones and a laptop before fleeing the house.

The retired cop and his family each managed to loosen their own binds and contacted the police after making sure the robbers were no longer in the house.

A team of investigating officers and a police forensics unit rushed to the scene to investigate this latest robbery incident and interview the family.

In a possible related incident, a police Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) arrested five men later the same morning after their presence in a housing estate aroused the suspicion of local residents.

Police received a call around 10.30am from residents of Taman Puteri located at Jalan Sultan Tengah near Santubong and rushed to the scene where they encountered a Kancil with five men inside driving slowly as though they were surveying the area.

The men, who are all locals in their 20s and 30s, were unaware of the presence of the police until they were ordered to stop and exit the vehicle.

A search of the Kancil then uncovered a ski mask, hammer, wooden club and motorcycle helmets, prompting patrol officers to arrest them on the spot.
The men were then taken to the Simpang Tiga police station for further investigation.

Road Casualties

Three bad accidents

Rescuers helping to pluck the trailer driver out

Three major accidents occurred over the weekend and today where it involved one death.

In an accident on Sunday a 54 year-old man died in an oil palm tanker and van collision at Bau-Lundu road.

A couple was rushed to hospital when their van collided with a Toyota Land Cruiser in a midnight accident at Sekama road.

It was believed the van was turning into a U-turn junction before the collision with the Land Cruiser leaving the male van driver pinned and injured while the lady passenger also sustained injuries.

Today, a trailer driver almost lost his life when he lost control of his vehicle before skidding into a tree at Bako road here.

A team of Fire and Rescue personnel from Petra Jaya station rushed to the scene to extricate the victim from the mangle wreck of the trailer after receiving information from members of the public about 2.30pm.

The 30-something victim sustained injuries on his leg was rushed to Sarawak General Hospital for treatment.

A job well done

Weeding out loitering youths

These are not what boys are made of - Police checking the weapons

Can you imagine that these weapons, a cleaver and short knife, were what the police found brought by loitering youths who were rounded up at the Kuching Waterfront on Saturday.

The police conducted a two week operation to flush out loitering youths at the popular waterfront after the death of another youth early this month. Refer to my Nov 6 blog entry.

Kudos to the police! Well at least the authority for now is taking note and taking action, however sadly after such dreaded incident happened.

The beautiful waterfront which is meant for the public to enjoy should not be tarnished by the act of these unscrupulous youths.

Diesel smugglers attempt got burnt

Marine Police checking the hidden compartment on the vessel

A skipper and his crew were suspected of smuggling out 18,000 litres of diesel believed to be sold to foreign vessels plying the international waters.

The total diesel seized during the raid was estimated to be worth RM36,000 based on the market price of RM1.90 a litre now.

The two were arrested by a Marine Police patrol during an operation near Kampung Goebilt here today.

According to my source, the fishing vessel was stopped around 9.30am where during the inspection 10,000 litres of diesel were hidden inside the registered vessel while another 8,000 litres in another unlicensed boat.

A local fishing vessel was also detained last week during an operation in Muara Tebas where 16,000 litres of diesel worth RM18,000 were recovered.

Sabahan found dead in Bintulu

Masdin's remains being brought up to a boardwalk

A body of a Sabahan man identified only as Masdin was found near Kampung Baru in Bintulu today.

The fisherman was believed to be missing on Monday after not reporting to work for one of the fishing vessel here.

A foster sister to the dead fisherman suspected there was foul-play involved as the employers and his colleagues did not report him (Masdin) missing as they ventured out to sea on Monday.

Four robbers bit the dust

Four men with weapons attempting to commit robberies were shot dead by police early this morning at Mile 23, of Bintulu-Miri trunk road.

Among the weapons seized from the scene were two home-made revolvers, eight ammunitions, three spent cartridges, two machetes, a cutter, crowbar and screwdrivers.

According to my source, the police who received tip-offs from the public stumbled upon the four men and when the police tried to stop them they were fired upon, while the other robbers were prepared with other weapons.

The police had no choice but to return fire discharging 14 shots killing the four men on the spot.

Police also believed that the four men killed this morning were foreigners involved in 19 robbery cases in Bintulu, including the robbery-cum-murder of a canteen operator at the Kemena Industrial estate on November 3.

The robbers were actually targeting two houses in the vicinity where one of the houses had one of the three dogs being poisoned and another house had its fence cut.

Fire victims received help

Remains of the fire after destroying the quarters on Sunday

Donations kept pouring in today for victims of a pre-dawn fire which destroyed workers quarters at Mile 7 ½ Penrissen Road on Sunday.

In the incident a Chinese man died in the fire which started at 5.20am while another suffered burnt on their bodies and was receiving treatment at the hospital.

The remaining victims who only had their clothes own are being sheltered at the Kota Sentosa community hall here.

The semi-wooden structure was mainly inhabited by contract workers who had rented each unit for RM200 a month.

Sarawakian killed by zoo tigers

The white tigers at the Singapore zoo

A Malaysian worker from Sarawak died after he was mauled by tigers at the Singapore Zoo in Mandai Road this afternoon.

Visitors watched in horror as three white tigers pounced on Nordin Montong, 32, who was said to have entered the enclosure where the tigers were kept in the 12.30pm incident.

According to news reports the victim, a contract worker, was attacked by three white tigers after he allegedly jumped into the moat at the white tiger exhibit at 12.15pm.

This created a commotion, which attracted the attention of a keeper who was nearby. Simultaneously, other keepers went to the exhibit to distract the tigers in a bid to rescue the worker.The keepers managed to rescue the worker and brought him out of the exhibit.

While waiting for the ambulance, the zoo veterinarians attended to him but Nordin had succumbed to his wounds. A Singapore police spokesman said the man was injured on his neck and body.Paramedics pronounced him dead at about 12.45pm.

Meanwhile, in a statement this evening, Singapore Zoo's Assistant Director of Zoology Biswajit Guha said the victim's family had been notified.He said zoo officials had sent condolences to the worker's family and would provide assistance they needed.

As a precautionary measure, the zoo authorities had temporarily closed the white tiger exhibit, he added.

REMEMBER THE PAINT ON KIDS TOYS?

I would like to share an email from my friend claiming that some cheap slippers in the market, obviously made from China are a hazard to the feet.

He heard it over the news from one of the local radios here that the authority has advised people to be extra careful with regards to these cheap imports from china.

These includes clothes, food, toys, slippers and even glasses because the Chinese manufacturers are using some strong but cheap chemical in their products.

"Cheap is becoming expensive and at the same time fatal. I nearly bought one pair of the slippers (photo above) for myself last week at the Japanese $2 shop at IMM last week," he said.

There is even photo of a feet having some sort of burned mark probably from the chemical reaction on the skin. So try to be on the lookout for any of such products being sold in shops around your area.

Plight of the landless land owners

Who owns our land?

This was what happened on Monday (Nov 10) in front of the state legislative assembly building at Petra Jaya where 50 protestors staged a peaceful demonstration demanding that their Native Customary Right (NCR) lands be safeguarded.

The group apparently initiated by the opposition assemblymen named themselves a Kembara Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Orang Asal Sarawak.

They managed to hand over a memorandum to a representative which include six issues and problems while nine recommendations including for the Court to prioritise NCR issues.

Although the government claims that these people had settled in the area in 1970's which was classified as 'new settlement' (since the land law stated that those who settled before 1958 are eligible to be classified as NCR), it still remains that these people are the remnants of those who pioneer in developing the land.

I don't think that any of the authority ever land a hand in helping to clear the jungle and set up the settlement in the area. So what right has the authority to say that the lands are not the settlers'?

"Without verification, it's difficult to assist them..." said an assemblyman from Kemena, Dr Stephen Rundi in response to the protestors' earlier request for the issue to be settled.

What verification is needed? These people have settled on the land, they have farms, they have houses and settlement, what more proof is that? These people have approached the relevant authorities for the issue to be settled but their voices were not heard and their complaints ignored.

Sure this is the type of issue that should not be swept under the carpet by the current administration, as this incident may be one of many to come if not being handled well.

Don't blame the opposition for the fiasco, they have done well to highlight the issue, actually this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Just waiting to happen

Boy stabbed at waterfront


Grim sight: Police checking the pool of blood at the scene

A youth who was about to sit for his major examination papers next week died of stab wounds after involved in a fight at Kuching Waterfront this evening.

According to my source, the form five boy from Kampung Astana in Petra Jaya was last seen loitering at the popular waterfront around 5pm and mixing with some intoxicated youths when a fight broke out among them.

The next thing that happened was that the boy lay dead in a pool of blood near to one of the gazebos there with blood gushing from two stab wounds on his chest believed to be caused by a spur or a sharp object.

No one has yet to be arrested in direct connection to the incident but another youth was arrested by police near to the scene for posession of a knife in public.

The Kuching Waterfront, although a nice place for family and tourists to visit has been marred with the presence of unruly youths loitering the area and creating unpleasant scenes at times by drinking liquors, sniffing glue and also involved in immoral activities.

Although there has been numerous calls for something to be done to clear the mess and unsightly activities in the area but somehow the authorities, as always the case, are quite slow to react, until or unless something like this happens. When will we all learn?

Of course Obama won...

America Has Spoken...

Primary school destroyed in inferno

Totally hapless to fight the flames



The fire overview before the complete burnout

A primary school in Sebuyau was reduced to ashes late Monday afternoon when fire swept through its entire wooden structure, destroying hundreds of thousands of ringgit worth of property and leaving 156 pupils without classes.

The fire was believed to be caused by a short circuit at a Primary 2 classroom on the upper floor of the main block, was first spotted by the school's security guard who immediately alerted the school's senior assistant and acting headmaster.

No casualties were reported in the 5.45pm blaze at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tebelu where it destroyed the headmaster's room, staff room, computer and science labs, classrooms as well as a host of school equipment and RM10,000 in cash.

Villagers who happened to be playing football at the school's field also help fight the rapidly-spreading fire using available fire extinguishers and water from the school's water tanks, nearby pipes and drains.

Local Fire and Rescue Services Department reached the scene shortly followed by a second team from Simunjan roughly an hour later.

By that time however, the entire school was totally razed and fire fighters managed to put out the flames around 8.50pm.