Compiled by ALLISON LAI, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTAN
THAI authorities detained 21 foreign nationals suspected of being part of an international scam syndicate while they allegedly awaited smuggling into Malaysia.
The group was detained in Kampung Buketa in Waeng district, Narathiwat, following an intelligence operation involving immigration officers, police and a border patrol unit, reported Utusan Malaysia.
The group comprised four Chinese nationals in their 40s, believed to be senior figures in the syndicate, and 17 Myanmar nationals, including nine women aged in their 20s and 30s.
Police suspect the Myanmar nationals were being brought in to work at call centres in Malaysia. All 21 were found to have no valid travel documents.
Authorities also detained a local man in his 40s who allegedly transported the group from Hat Yai in a pickup truck.
Investigations are ongoing.
> Actor and director Namron believes an actor’s true worth goes beyond awards, saying accolades are celebrated briefly before being forgotten.
He was defending his wife, actress June Lojong, who missed out on a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 35th Malaysian Film Festival.
Namron said public appreciation meant far more than trophies, while urging fans to respect the jury’s decision as all shortlisted nominees were deserving.
> Sinar Harian reported that Comedian Jep Sepahtu has won praise from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan after revealing he paid RM1.935mil in zakat from 2016 to 2025.
Jep said he shared the records to address previous allegations, not to boast.
Zulkifli added that the move could inspire others to fulfil their zakat duties.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
